Chemours Backs Automotive Industry Push for Longer Refrigerant Transition

Major industry voices, including the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the German Association of the Automotive Industry, have formally requested a derogation period as part of the European Union’s proposed PFAS restriction. The consensus among these groups suggests that a 20-year timeline is necessary for vehicle types beyond light-duty electric models. Joseph Martinko, President of Thermal & Specialized Solutions at Chemours, emphasized that the transition is not a simple swap, noting that the previous shift from R-134a to R-1234yf took over 15 years to implement successfully.

Technological barriers remain the primary hurdle for the industry. Current alternatives such as propane and CO2 present significant design and safety challenges. Propane’s high flammability requires extensive new safety controls, while CO2 systems demand high-pressure architectures that can compromise vehicle range and energy efficiency. Because these refrigerants are not drop-in replacements, they require a full cycle of redesign, validation, and manufacturing adjustments. During this extended transition, the industry proposes focusing on practical emission-control measures—such as improved leak detection and refrigerant recovery—which could reduce annual emissions by as much as 60%.