Honeywell Solstice N40 Approved for Use in U.S. Ice Rinks by EPA

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently listed Honeywell’s Solstice N40 (R-448A) as acceptable for use in retrofits in ice rinks in the United States. Solstice N40 provides rink owners excellent performance and long-term savings, while reducing risk to the environment. This non-ozone depleting refrigerant is an important new option for rink owners.

The EPA issued this notice of acceptability for use of R-488A under its Significant New Alternatives Policy program, which evaluates new chemicals and technologies to determine if they are feasible alternatives to environmentally undesirable products. This update was recently published in the Federal Register.

As rink owners look to shift away from R-22 – a hydrochlorofluorocarbon that is widely used in ice rinks across the U.S. and Canada – they face the challenge of selecting an alternative refrigerant that delivers equivalent capacity and proven performance but without disrupting rink operations. New production of R-22 will cease at the end of 2019.

The EPA had previously listed Solstice N40 under SNAP in 2015 for use as an alternative to R-22 and R-404A in commercial refrigeration applications, including new and retrofit supermarkets, various types of commercial refrigeration equipment, ice machines and refrigerated transportation. More than 20,000 supermarkets worldwide have already made the switch to N40. This listing will enable U.S. rink owners to avoid the risks of continued R-22 operation while demonstrating a greater consideration for the environment.

Based on hydrofluoroolefin technology, Solstice N40 offers GWP that is lower than R-22, and is classified A1 by the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, meaning it’s nonflammable and nontoxic.

For more info, visit www.fluorineproducts-honeywell.com.