R1234yf is a new type of automotive air conditioning refrigerant with huge market potential in the future.

R1234yf, also known as HFO-1234yf, whose chemical name is 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, is one of the representative products of the fourth generation hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) refrigerants. R1234yf is used as a single working fluid refrigerant. Compared with the previous three generations of refrigerants, it has excellent environmental protection characteristics. Its ozone depletion potential (ODP) is zero and global warming potential (GWP) is low. It is currently mainly used in automobiles. In the field of air conditioning, market demand continues to expand.

Before this, the refrigerant for automobile air conditioners mainly used R134a. R134a is a third-generation hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) refrigerant with zero ODP, but has a high GWP and obvious greenhouse effect. As environmental protection requirements increase, it will be gradually eliminated. Compared with R134a, R1234yf has lower GWP, similar physical and chemical properties, and the same atmospheric decomposition products. It can be used in the original vehicle air conditioning system. It is the most potential new refrigerant product to replace R134a and has been used in many cars.

European regulations have prohibited the use of refrigerants with GWP >150 in new cars produced and sold within the country since 2017. R134a has no room for development in the European automotive industry. As a substitute for R134a, R1234yf is facing development opportunities, and market demand is rapidly expanding. . In addition to air conditioning refrigerant, R1234yf can also be used as refrigerator refrigerant, fire extinguishing agent, foaming agent, propellant, organic synthetic monomer, etc., with a wide range of downstream applications.

R1234yf was first jointly developed by Honeywell and DuPont in the United States. In 2010, it was approved for use in automotive air conditioners. At present, in addition to Honeywell and Chemours (DuPont) of the United States, overseas R1234yf manufacturers include Asahi Glass of Japan and Arkema of France. In 2014, Honeywell signed a purchase agreement with Asahi Glass. In 2015, Asahi Glass began to produce R1234yf, and the products were sold by Honeywell; French Arkema has independent R1234yf R&D and production capabilities.

According to the “2021-2025 R1234yf Refrigerant Industry In-depth Market Research and Investment Strategy Suggestions Report” released by the Industrial Research Center, in In my country, the main R1234yf manufacturing companies include Sanaifu, Juhua Co., Ltd., and Huanxin Fluorine Materials. Sanaifu adopts the production technology of Chemours in the United States, and the R1234yf products produced are sold by Chemours; Juhua Co., Ltd. cooperates with Honeywell of the United States, and the R1234yf produced by Honeywell is sold by Honeywell in the United States and European markets; environmental new fluorine materials It has R1234yf patented commercial production technology.

The main R1234yf production processes include: hexafluoropropylene addition and elimination method, pentafluoropropane dehydrofluorination method, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene fluorine and chlorine exchange method, monochloromethane and tetrafluoroethylene high temperature cracking method, Hexafluoropropane and pentafluoropropane synthesis methods, etc. Among my country’s R1234yf production companies, Sanaifu and Juhua Co., Ltd. use the hexafluoropropylene addition and elimination method, and the cyclic neofluorine materials use the 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropylene fluorine and chlorine exchange method.

Industry analysts said that R1234yf refrigerant is a fourth-generation refrigerant with excellent environmental protection, but there are also flaws in its application. R1234yf is flammable. In the event of a car collision, if it leaks and encounters high temperature engine parts, there is a high risk of combustion and explosion. The combustion product will be toxic hydrogen fluoride. Therefore, the car air conditioning system using R1234yf as the refrigerant must be strictly sealed.