International. Published for public consultation in June 2015 by the Office of Foreign Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Environmental Protection, the First Catalogue of Recommended Substitutes for HCFCs lists 12 substitutes for HCFC refrigerants, foaming agents and detergents, ten of which are natural chemicals including CO2, ammonia, hydrocarbons and water.
According to market intelligence firm CCM that collated the publication, the Catalog is intended to be a general indication of the Chinese government's intentions and is likely to be followed by more major policies promoting natural refrigerants and foaming agents in the coming years.
Only one HFC - R32 for unit air conditioners, water coolers, heat pump water heaters and condensing units - is cited in the Catalogue.
The natural refrigerants that suggested replacing R22 in refrigeration applications are as follows:
. CO2 for water heaters with heat pump, mobile air conditioning, industrial/commercial freezing and refrigeration (transcritical and secondary refrigerant);
. Ammonia for refrigerated warehouses, transport refrigeration, condensing units and industrial refrigeration;
. Propane (R290) for independent air and refrigeration conditioners;
. Isobutane (R600a) for independent refrigeration.
