1. Update on alternative technologies and international developments in the Polyurethane Foams Sector

2. 1 BACKGROUND  HCFC phase-out in developing countries has started. Short/medium term targets: Freeze in 2013, 10% reductions from 2015, 35% reductions from 2020.  HCFC-141b is the predominant blowing agent used in polyurethane foams in developing countries  Consumption of HCFC-141b in major developing countries is significant and growing rapidly (typically 30- 40% of total HCFC consumption in ODP tonnes)

3. 2 BACKGROUND (CONT’D)  UNDP is engaged in HCFC phase-out in the PU Foams sector in many developing countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, etc.  Reduction in HCFC consumption in the PU Foams Sector is essential for compliance with the 2013-2015 control targets, due to the higher ODP of HCFC-141b (0.11)

4. 3 KEY PU FOAM APPLICATIONS USING HCFC-141b  Rigid polyurethane foams o Sandwich panels (continuous/discontinuous) o Appliances (refrigerators, water-heaters) o Thermoware and insulated boxes o Boardstock, slabs, pipe-sections/pipes o Spray  Integral skin polyurethane foams o Automotive o Furniture o Microcellular/shoe soles

5. 4 ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES  Low-GWP options (GWP lower than of HCFC-141b) o Hydrocarbons (n, iso, cyclo-pentanes and mixtures) o Aliphatic compounds (methyl formate, methyl al) o Natural fluids (CO 2, water) o HFOs (Solstice LBA, FEA-1100, AFA-L1, 1234ze)  Higher-GWP options (GWP higher than of HCFC-141b) o HFCs (HFC-134a, HFC-245fa, HFC-365mfc/227ea)

6. 5 KEY CHALLENGES  Low-GWP and non-flammable  Cost-effectiveness  Commercial availability  Maturity  Viability and implementability for small-scale operations  Performance Next generation alternatives (HFOs) show promise on technical properties. ‘

7. 6 DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS UNDP carried out/is implementing demonstration projects under MLF, for all the commercially available alternative technologies:  Methyl formate (Brazil, Mexico): Most applications  Methyl Al (Mexico): Shoe soles  Pre-blended HCs (Egypt): Rigid polyurethane foams  HFO-1234ze (Turkey): XPS foam  Supercritical CO 2 (Colombia, Nigeria): Spray foams Additional demonstration projects for next generation blowing agents planned in 2012 (outside MLF). ‘

8. 7 EXPERIENCE FROM PU FOAM SECTORS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES  HCs are viable for larger enterprises with HCFC consumption of at least 40 metric tonnes  Methyl formate is acceptable where supply chain and infrastructure is sound and legal arrangements can be effectively executed  Operating costs are a critical factor  Flammability is a critical factor  Difficult to address SMEs cost-effectively at this stage

9. 8 THANK YOU! Comments, suggestions and questions welcome http://www.undp.org/chemicals/montrealprotocol.htm suely.carvalho@undp.org nandan.chirmulay@undp.org