Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued the "Announcement on Prohibiting the Production of polyurethane Products with 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) as the foaming Agent" and "Announcement on Prohibiting the Production of Household Refrigerators and Freezer Products with Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as the refrigerant" (hereinafter referred to as the two announcements).The relevant person in charge of the Atmospheric Environment Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment answered reporters' questions about the two announcements.
Question: What is the background and significance of the two announcements?
Answer: Since my country acceded to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) in 1991, it has continued to phase out and replace ozone-depleting substances (ODS) for controlled uses, and completed the phase-out of five categories of ODS, including perfluorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform and methyl bromide as scheduled. The accelerated phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) is currently under way.In 2021, my country accepted the "Kigali Amendment" to restrict the control of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), began to control HFCs, and launched HFCs reduction actions.
In April 2025, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs issued the "China's National Plan for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (2025-2030)", which clearly stated that the polyurethane foam industry will prohibit the production of HCFC-141b as a foaming agent from July 1, 2026. Products with HCFC-141b as the foaming agent; the home appliance industry will prohibit the production of refrigerators and freezers with HFCs as the refrigerant from January 1, 2026.
The polyurethane foam industry is one of the main consumer areas of HCFCs, and HCFC-141b is used as the foaming agent to produce polyurethane products such as thermal insulation foam boards.The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued a ban on HCFC-141b as a foaming agent for sub-industries such as refrigerator freezers, refrigerated containers, electric water heaters, as well as thermal insulation pipes, solar water heaters, etc., But at present, sub-industries such as sheet, spraying, self-skinning, sole, and some niche fields still use HCFC-141b as a foaming agent.In addition, the industrial chain also involves some upstream companies that use HCFC-141b as a foaming agent to produce combined polyethers.My country has done a lot of work on the promotion of alternative technologies. There are a variety of mature alternatives in various sub-industries, and it has accumulated a wealth of experience in alternative transformation and elimination. Relevant enterprises can choose suitable alternatives according to product performance requirements and economic affordability.
My country is a large producer of household refrigerators and freezers. At present, it mainly uses low-carbon and environmentally friendly natural working substance isobutane as the refrigerant, and only a small number of exported products still use HFCs as the refrigerant.From the technical point of view, isobutane has been successfully used as a refrigerant for household refrigerators and freezers for many years. The technology is mature, the industrial chain is well equipped, and the industry penetration rate exceeds 90%, which is technically feasible.From the economic point of view, isobutane is a by-product of the petrochemical industry, the cost is lower than that of HFCs, and the comprehensive economic benefits are obvious.Under this circumstance, the issuance of two announcements is a positive measure to promote the process of ODS elimination and HFCs reduction and achieve the national compliance goals. It is of great significance to promote the green, low-carbon and high-quality development of related industries, and demonstrates China's conscientious implementation of international environmental conventions. Responsible attitude.