China’s major refrigerant suppliers say large-scale production of R290 ACs coming soon 

R290 has been identified as a long-term alternative to R22 in residential AC production for the Chinese HVAC&R industry. Major hydrocarbon refrigerant suppliers like Shandong Yuean and Puyang Zhongwei see the large-scale production of R290 ACs as a determining factor in the market breaktrhough of hydrocarbons in China. Although these suppliers believe the adoption of natural refrigerants is an irreversible trend in China, they have so far expressed disappointment in the current limited market demand for R290.  HC refrigerant suppliers are looking forward to the full implementation of the national Chinese safety standard for flammable refrigerants this May, which they believe will remove one of the key market barriers hindering wider uptake of R290 ACs. 

 

 

Shandong Yuean Chemical Industry Co., LTD. is one of the largest hydrocarbon suppliers in China. The company specialises in manufacturing low GWP refrigerants and foaming agents. Its annual production capacity of R600a R290, and other hydrocarbon refrigerants, has reached 60,000 tons. Sales of Shandong Yuean’s hydrocarbons, especially R600a for domestic refrigerators and freezers have experienced a particularly remarkable growth in recent years. Mr. Liang Zhibo, General Manger of Shandong Yuean believes that low GWP refrigerants like hydrocarbons have tremendous development potential in the Chinese market, and that their adoption represents an irreversible trend in China. 

 

 

Puyang Zhongwei Fine Chemical is one of the largest manufacturers of hydrocarbon refrigerants in Asia. Its annual production capacity of hydrocarbon refrigerants can reach 400,000 tons. Puyang Zhongwei has expressed their disappointment in the current pace at which the R290 AC market is developing in China. According to Puyang Zhongwei, the key reason is that China lags behind other countries when it comes to an established national standard to guide the safe use of flammable refrigerants in air conditioning equipment. Related government departments are still testing its safety and China is not yet ready to promote the massive use of R290 air conditioners. With the limited market demand of R290 and the falling price of R600a, the company is now actively promoting its new type of hydrocarbon R433b, a blend of the two pure hydrocarbons R290 and R1270. 

 

 

Most middle and large refrigerant suppliers in China have a positive outlook when is comes to the future market for hydrocarbons. These suppliers see the arrival of the mass production of R290 ACs as the key breakthrough that will accelerate the market uptake of hydrocarbons in China. With the “Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety - particular requirements for heat pumps, air-conditioners and dehumidifiers”(GB 4706.32-2012) coming into force on May 1, 2013, refrigerant suppliers in China hope that a key market barrier holding back the market for R290 air conditioners could be removed, allowing major R290 AC producers to begin mass production.