Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Phasedown

As part of Lockheed Martin’s participation in the International Aerospace Environmental Group (IAEG) there is an industry-focus on developing an approach to help the Aerospace and Defense industry evaluate emerging global environmental and chemical regulations and their impact on compliance and potential operational risk for companies and their supply chain. Below is an example of such a regulation and we want to ensure as a supplier, you have awareness.

HFCs have been viewed and used as replacements for many ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) – including hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and halons – that have been or are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. However, although HFCs do not destroy the ozone layer, they are potent greenhouse gases. The global warming potentials (GWPs) of HFCs are thousands of times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide (GWP = 1). Therefore, with rapidly growing use of HFCs globally, especially in refrigeration and air-conditioning, the commitment and compliance to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which aims to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs, has become increasingly important.