SOLVAY Phasing out ozone-depleting substances: Industry responses to more sustainable consumption and production Jacques de Gerlache, Ph.D. senior toxicologist Sustainability & Crisis Corporate Communications, Solvay, & European Fluorocarbons Technical Committee (EFCTC)

SOLVAY Plan of the presentation 1. Developing and Marketing of ODS alternatives 2. Producer / Consumer issues with alternatives 3. some Lessons learned 4. Two remaining challenges

SOLVAY The Montreal Protocol 20th Anniversary “ Perhaps the single most successful international environmental agreement to date” Atmospheric levels of key ozone depleting substances are going down : some chlorinated solvents, CFCs, soon H-CFCs; – Ozone layer should return to pre-1980 levels by 2050 to 2075 Substantial climate benefits – Climate impact : Approximately 25 billion tonnes of CO2 weighted global warming gasses reduction by 2000

SOLVAY From CFCs phase out to H-CFCs phase out

SOLVAY Absolute production of CFCs, H- CFCs and HFCs => HFCs replace CFCs and H-CFCs with much less amounts

SOLVAY Developing and Marketing of ODS alternatives

SOLVAY GWP-weigthed emissions of CFCs, H- CFCs, HFCs compared to fossil fuel CO2

SOLVAY

Consumers issues : Find alternatives to CFCs and H-CFCs in targetted applications HFCs are used where they provide a better answer than other solutions, or where other solutions cannot be used due to safety, health or technical reasons.

SOLVAY Consumers issues : are alternatives to CFCs and H-CFCs equally safe ? Majors characteristics of HFCs : low-toxicity, low inflammability, energy-efficiency, drop-in replacements.

SOLVAY Meanwhile, although without impact on the ozone layer, HFCs are greenhouse gases Their Global Warming Potential (GWP) however is in general lower than the CFCs and HCFCs they replace ; Their containment and responsible use over the lifetime of their applications can lead to overall climate benefits.

SOLVAY Too often, the debate is focused solely on the GWP Equally important are : THE QUANTITIES OF GAS EMITTED: compared to the huge amounts of CO2, CH4 or NOx emitted, the F-gases are minor contributors to the climate impact; THE REAL LIFETIME OF THESE GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE : HFCs are essentially degraded in the atmosphere within decades ; in contrast, CO2 emissions persist for centuries.

SOLVAY 1st lesson learn : (H)-CFCs substitution : the most important contribution to the decrease of greenhouse gas emissions In 1990, CFCs represented 25% of greenhouse gas emissions ;. In 2010, the HFCs replacing them will represent only 2%.  This achievement, made possible with HFCs, represents about 4 times the objectives of the Kyoto Protocol.

SOLVAY 2D lesson learn : " don't force to danse quicker than the music can play" In 1994, a company in Europe was the first to stop producing CFCs ; Some months later the Commission was forced to autorise imports from outside Europe because it was technically not possible to shift so quickly from CFCs to alternatives, including H-CFCs ! Who took advantage of this ? Neither Europe, neither the ozone layer.

SOLVAY F-gases as alternative to (H)-CFCs may contribute to reduce further the greenhouse effect. Why ? BECAUSE THEIR ENERGY EFFICIENCY : Over the lifetime of an application, the reduction in climate impact resulting from the improved energy efficiency obtained by using an HFC in some applications can be more important than the impact resulting from the HFC used if it was emitted (which is not necessarily the case). Energy efficiency improvements from using HFCs and the impact of their use through the lifetime of the equipment should thus be considered via Life Cycle Climate Performance analysis (LCCP), case by case, before imposing use restrictions and bans. Studies are available for insulation foam or the refrigeration chain.

SOLVAY A first remaining challenge : collect and recycle or destroy remaining (H)-CFCs Mainly CFCs and H-CFCs "banks" in old appliances ; The whole chain of users has to be involved ; partnerships are the key ; cost management is a must ; Producers are ready to play their role : a European producer has a industrial unit operating in Germany to destroy CFCs and HFCs which recycle Fluorhydric acid and this company has a system in place with customers to recycle SF6. A balance between regulation and incentives is a key to the success.

SOLVAY A second remaining challenge : Monitoring and containing F-gas emissions This is the objective of the F-Gas Regulation 842/2006 Key Measures applied from 4 July 2007 –Containment and some specific use bans Current focus on Implementation –Labelling & Reporting requirements –Leakage Inspection Requirements –Training & Certification F-Gas Review by 4 July 2011 –Industry wants to make F-Gas a success and show that containment works

SOLVAY Figaroo : a website to provide practical information to users on F-gas regulation application A single, searchable point to promote up to date information on F-Gas. Highlights Member State activity and interpretation in one place. Provide answers to questions and examples of best practice.

SOLVAY One condition : alternatives to HFCs in MAC appliances to be technically reliable and economically affordable at large scale From containment to bans : About the MAC directive

SOLVAY Conclusion F-gases represented a unique opportunity to contribute to save the ozone layer AND to contribute significantly to the decrease of greenhosue gas emissions. Used responsably in specific key societal applications, HFCs remain often the preferable and a sustainable solution "Ne jetez pas le bébé avec l'eau du bain !"

SOLVAY thank you for your attention