Asahi Glass has developed a new refrigerant for room air-conditioning systems to replace R-410A, bringing a reduction of GWP (Global Warming Potential) down to about 350 which corresponds to one-sixth that of R-410A and half that of HFC-32.

The developed product “AMOLEA” is a mixed refrigerant whose main ingredient is HFO-1123. HFO (hydrofluoroolefin) is a gas with the feature of double bond and easy decomposition in the atmosphere. It means a shorter period of stay in the atmosphere to realize a low GWP. Any detail of other gas contents or composition rate is not disclosed.

Asahi Glass is now participating in the project titled “Development of High-efficiency Non-chlorofluorocarbon Air-conditioning Technology” subsidized by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) from 2011 to 2015, in which the company is in charge of development of a new refrigerant of high efficiency and low GWP. The refrigerant at this time has been developed as part of the project. Continuing the development, the company aims to commercialize the new gas in 2016.

According to Noriyuki Komuro, Noriyuki Komuro, Global Business Director of Gas Products & Solvents Group, AGC Chemicals Business Management General Division, under the ongoing revision of the European regulations on fluorocarbon gases, the proposal for “Less than 750 GWP” has unofficially accepted.
AGC’s refrigerant of “AMOLEA” has not been registered to the internationally authorized institutions, but its GWP value or efficiency still remains uncertain. However, he is confident enough to say, “The performance has proved to be better than the value of R-410A through our demonstration of the drop-in test. It will surely be an influential alternative responding to the revised regulation on fluorocarbons.” He also says that AGC will actively supply samples to the domestic air-conditioning system manufacturers.