Page last updated : 30/06/2010

Hydrofluorocarbons - HFCs

Source : CITEPA / SECTEN format - April 2010

Survey period : since 1990

(**) As defined by UNFCCC - domectic aviation emissions

Comments

In 2008, HFC emissions reached 14 969 kt CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). They have sharply increased since 1990 (+305%, i.e. +11 273 kt CO₂e).

All the sectors contributed to the emissions in 2008 (52% of total emissions from residential/tertiary, 21% from manufacturing industry, 19% from road transport, 8% from other transports than road, less than 1% from energy conversion and agriculture/forestry) whereas in 1990, only manufacturing industry contributed.

In the manufacturing industry sector, from 1990 to 1993, chemical industry was the main source of emissions caused by the synthesis of HFCs, HCFC-22 producing HFC-23, Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

The reductions operated since 1992 by the installation of treatments allowed a first fall of the total emissions of HFCs in France until 1995.

There has been an upward trend in emissions since then. The main reasons are the substitution of CFCs by HFCs which impacts less on the destruction of the stratospheric ozone.

Refrigeration/air conditioning from road transport responsible for 2 832 kt CO₂e of total emissions in 2008 rised sharply since 1993 (+2 816 kt CO₂e). However it standed after domestic and commercial refrigeration (3 368 kt CO₂e in 2008) which, associated with aerosol use (3 460 kt CO₂e in 2008) placed the residential/tertiary sector in first place. At the same time, solvent use and evaporation process during the products filling have caused an increase of manufacturing industry emissions, in spite of emission reduction techniques introduced by chemical industry during the HFC synthesis.

From 2002, a new source of HFC emissions was identified : the use of HFCs in manufacturing industries as propulsing agents for polystyrene foam replacing HCFCs which are banned since they damage the ozone layer. HFC-365mfc are used since HCFC were banned in 2003, for polyurethane foam (PUR foam). It is emitting HFCs during the foam’s manufacture and its life time.

It is important to stress that the chemical nature of the emitted HFCs has a significant impact on emissions in CO₂ equivalent.

 Note :

For more information about refrigeration and air conditioning, refer to the report produced by the “Ecole des Mines de Paris”, center for energy and processes, (http://www-cenerg.ensmp.fr/english/index.html)