United States. The Chemours Company announced the implementation of an improvement project to significantly reduce HFC-23 emissions at its manufacturing headquarters located in Louisville, Kentucky.
The project includes the design, custom construction and installation of proprietary technology to capture at least 99% of the site's HFC-23 process emissions. HFC-23 is a unique hydrofluorocarbon that is marketed for critical low-volume applications, such as ultra-low temperature refrigerants for vaccines, medical use, and semiconductor manufacturing. If emitted, HFC-23 does not remain at ground level and instead rises into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential (GWP).
"Chemours operates with the imperative of being a responsible manufacturer, which includes our commitment to safe operations and ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental footprint," said Sheryl Telford, chief sustainability officer. "This project is another important step in our journey to ensure we deliver essential products that address society's growing needs while manufacturing them responsibly."
According to Tim Byrd, vice president of operations, Chemours' Louisville manufacturing site has been on a journey of continuous improvement. "Our Louisville site currently captures the majority of emissions from the HFC-23 process. We have also implemented other process improvements to reduce the amount of HFC-23 that is created. It has taken us some time to get here, but we are pleased to have initiated this next piece of our emissions control plan that will allow us to capture at least 99% of the emissions from the HFC-23 process and get closer to meeting our overall goal of a 99% or greater reduction in fluoridated emissions." Byrd said. He noted that the company has explored several options for HFC emissions control in recent years in order to decide on a final solution that is efficient and highly effective. Custom manufacturing and installation of the multiple components needed for the patented system is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
In 2018, Chemours announced 10 ambitious Corporate Responsibility Commitment goals that include at least a 99% reduction in fluoride emissions, a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity, and longer-term carbon goals. The company is a proponent of the Paris Climate Agreement, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and the recently passed bipartisan American Manufacturing and Innovation Act (AIM) that will begin the national phase-out of HFCs. Chemours has also invested in a more sustainable product offering that includes low-GWP Opteon ™ refrigerants and Nafion ™ ion exchange membranes that enable the production of green hydrogen gas and low-emission vehicles.
