CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) develops indigenous green refrigerants

Key facts

• The CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has developed India's first indigenous process technology for manufacturing hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs).
• CSIR-IICT developed a technology platform for the production of HFO-1234yf, a next-generation refrigerant designed to replace hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in air-conditioners, refrigerators, and automobile air-conditioning systems.
• HFO-1234yf is characterised by zero ozone depletion potential, low global warming potential, and an atmospheric lifetime of about 11 days, whereas HFCs take 13.8 years to degrade.
• India ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2021 to phase down the production and consumption of HFCs.
• India's HFC phase-down targets involve cumulative reductions of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042, and 85% in 2047.