On May 20, 2025, China Automotive Data Co., Ltd. organized the Achievement Exchange Meeting & Phase II Project Launch Conference of the Joint Development Program on Alternative Technologies to Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for Automotive Air Conditioning in China in Hangzhou. The meeting was addressed by Zhu Kongyuan, Deputy Director of the China Institute of Automotive Industry Economics and Technology Information, and Zhang Peng, Chief Engineer of China Automotive Data. More than 100 representatives from upstream and downstream industrial chain enterprises, scientific research institutes and other institutions attended the meeting.

Focusing on the HFC phase-out target under the Montreal Protocol to be implemented on July 1, 2029, the meeting discussed key technical bottlenecks such as current R744 leakage risks, R290 potential safety hazards and the stability of mixed refrigerants. Data shows that Phase I of the program has established a comprehensive evaluation system for alternative refrigerants, and completed basic research including bench performance verification and R290 safety assessment. For Phase II, 12 enterprises and institutions including Dongfeng Motor, Geely Auto, BYD and Daikin Fluorochemicals will join forces to focus on tackling the industrial application of alternative technologies.

The China Institute of Automotive Industry Economics and Technology Information pointed out that refrigerant replacement solutions need to balance compliance with the Kigali Amendment and the synergy with the "Dual Carbon" goals. The meeting also disclosed progress in the development of the automotive industry standard system, including the formulation of 5 key standards under promotion. In the technical sharing session, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Chemours and other institutions presented research and development of new refrigerants and system optimization solutions.

According to the plan, under the guidance of competent authorities, China Automotive Data will integrate industrial resources to establish a collaborative R&D platform, and accelerate breakthroughs in common technical problems of refrigerant replacement. The program is regarded as an important technical support for promoting the green and low-carbon transformation of the automotive industry.

Source: Huanqiu.com