DuPont Fluorochemicals (DuPont) has recently announced significant progress in delivering a new foam expansion solution based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, which offers breakthrough reduction in global warming potential (GWP) as well as energy efficiency benefits.

DuPont has established firm plans to start-up small-scale production in 2014 of HFO-1336mzz, which will be marketed as Formacel 1100 foam expansion agent. The company also is forming plans for world-class commercial capacity to meet the long-term needs of polyurethane foam customers for high efficiency, low GWP solutions. Moreover, DuPont is exploring the potential to use HFO-1336mzz in refrigerant applications.

DuPont explains that the new foam expansion agent can help significantly reduce the environmental footprint of rigid polyurethane foam insulation around the world. In addition to its extremely low global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential, Formacel 1100 also offers excellent thermal insulation performance allowing for reduced energy consumption, which further reduces greenhouse gas emissions.