The research program is part of an ongoing global effort to phase down the use of high-GWP refrigerants and identify appropriate climate-friendly alternatives. The DOE will contribute $3 million; ASHRAE, $1.2 million; and AHRI, $1 million.
Refrigerant manufacturer Bluon Energy announced that its TdX 20 refrigerant was given the preliminary ASHRAE number of R-458A with an A1 safety rating. The final approval and assignment of the ASHRAE classification is anticipated by the end of June 2016.
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), ASHRAE, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are collaborating to fund research that will establish a more robust fact base about the properties and use of flammable refrigerants.
A-Gas International, through its A-Gas Americas business, has completed the acquisition of Rapid Recovery. Headquartered in Phoenix, Rapid Recovery operates across the U.S. from 40 branch locations providing a full suite of on-site recovery and cylinder services to the refrigeration and HVAC sectors.
The divisiveness of the presidential campaign on top of what was already a difficult political climate in Washington means pushing through any kind of legislation this year will be highly unlikely, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the trends aren’t moving in the right direction for ammonia and other natural refrigerants.
Hudson Technologies Inc. announced that James R. Buscemi has advised the company of his intent to step down as vice president and chief financial officer of the company, effective July 1, 2016. Buscemi will remain with Hudson to assist with the CFO succession for a transition period.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is again cautioning homeowners, manufacturers of propane-based refrigerants, home improvement contractors, and air conditioning technicians of the safety hazards related to the use of propane in existing motor vehicle and home air conditioning systems.
Thierry Vanlancker, president of its fluoroproducts business at the Chemours Co., is retiring. Chemours also announced it is investing in large-scale manufacturing to expand supply of its Opteon™ family of refrigerants.
Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), the trade group representing nearly all refrigerant distributors and wholesalers in the refrigeration market, announced it has joined the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC).
DeCicco & Sons’ newest store has been awarded Platinum GreenChill certification — the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) highest sustainability award for food retailers — due to the grocer’s investment in a refrigeration system that uses natural refrigerant.