Page last updated : 15/06/2009

Hydrofluorocarbons - HFCs

Source : CITEPA / CORALIE SECTEN format - last revision 18 February 2009

Survey period : since 1990

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

Comments

In 2007, HFC emissions reached 13 990 kt CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). They have sharply increased since 1990 (+283%, i.e. +10 333 kt CO₂e).

All the sectors contributed to the emissions in 2007 except LULUCF* (47% of total emissions from residential/tertiary, 24% from road transport, 21% from manufacturing industry, 7% from other transports than road, less than 1% from energy conversion and agriculture/forestry) whereas in 1990, only one sector contributed (manufacturing industry).

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 3 411 kt CO₂e of total emissions in 2007, rised sharply since 1993 (+3 380 kt CO₂e) after domestic and commercial refrigeration (around 3 387 kt CO₂e in 2007) which, associated with aerosol use (around 3 164 kt CO₂e in 2007) standed the residential/tertiary sector in first place with 47% of total emissions in 2007. 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)