“Regarding the new car air conditioner refrigerant HFO1234yf, the German automaker Mercedes-Benz came out with an announcement that, “We have obtained results form our testing showing that concern of flammability cannot be completely removed. We will continue to use HFC134a as usual.” In response to this, Honeywell retorted that the results of the in-house testing conducted by Mercedes-Benz were not superior to those obtained through testing by US, European, and Japanese automotive organizations. It continues to believe that the data obtained up to now shows that HFO1234yf is safe.

The Mercedes-Benz statement was dated September 25, and declared that an actual new test, it was found that if a head on collision occurs, the high pressure line of the refrigerant could be severed, and the refrigerant could ignite in the engine space. In the same test it was confirmed that HFC134a would not burn. Therefore, for safety sake, they will continue using what they consider to be the proven HFC134a. The relevant authorities have already been informed of the results of this test.

In response to this, Honeywell issued the above mentioned retort under the name of the person in charge of Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies, Dr. Ian Shankland, chief technology officer. The company stressed that SAE International, an independent global association equivalent to the American Automobile Manufacturers Association, conducted tests sponsored by 15 global automakers and again announced the conclusion that HFO1234yf was safe for use in automobile applications.

As Dr. Shankland noted in his retort, “We are not aware of any in-house testing conducted by Mercedes-Benz addressed any areas that had not been adequately addressed in the past and we continue to believe that this overwhelming body of data shows that HFO1234yf is safe.””