Low Climate Impact of New Blowing Agents Confirmed

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed in its latest climate report that fourth-generation hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agents and refrigerants have extremely low global warming potential (GWP).

Honeywell, which markets HFO-123zd as Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent, previously estimated its GWP to be around 7 (see “New Chemical to Reduce Climate Impact of Foam Insulation”), but IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report on climate change notes a 20-year GWP of 5 (meaning that, in a 20-year period, the substance traps five times more heat than carbon dioxide) and a 100-year GWP of 1 (equal to that of carbon dioxide).