Honeywell announced Zhejiang DunAn Artificial Environment Co., Ltd, a global manufacturer of refrigeration equipment and components, will assist in driving the HVAC industry transition to Solstice® N41 (R-466A) by developing their product line of HVAC components as compatible.

Solstice N41 is the industry’s first A1, non-flammable lower-GWP refrigerant replacement for R-410A in stationary air conditioning systems, and reduces global warming impact by 65%.

Multiple worldwide regulations require the phasedown of HFC solutions under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. With regulations under Kigali officially taking effect in China in September and China’s aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, HVAC component manufacturers are increasingly seeking alternative low-GWP solutions.

“The non-flammability and reduced-GWP properties of Solstice N41 provide real breakthroughs for the HVAC industry," said Shan Yukuan, deputy director of the technology center at DunAn Environment. "DunAn is glad to partner with Honeywell to carry out evaluation and certification of key HVAC components for Solstice N41 use and promote the widespread application of this innovative technology. We believe this partnership with Honeywell will provide safer, more energy efficient, and more sustainable products for the HVAC industry.”

Solstice N41 provides the same level of safety to contractors and customers as R-410A. Other alternatives proposed as R-410A replacements may be higher risk due to their 2L (low flammability) rating, which may require changes to safety standards and building codes and OEM equipment production lines.

To date, Solstice N41 has undergone extensive analysis by over 15 OEMs and leading compressor manufacturers. The product has accumulated more than 100,000 reliable hours in different applications like commercial air conditioning (variable refrigerant flow, rooftops) and residential air conditioning (unitary ducted equipment in the U.S.).

"Solstice N41 is a revolutionary, sustainable solution for the HVAC industry. It was specifically designed to address industry challenges and meet regulatory requirements thanks to its safety, energy efficiency, and reduced GWP," said Ken West, vice president and general manager at Honeywell Fluorine Products. “By working with leading air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers and component suppliers such as DunAn, we can move towards industry adoption and help customers meet overall sustainability goals.”

DunAn components manufacturing includes refrigeration valves, heat exchangers, and pressure vessels for household and commercial air conditioners, heat pumps and refrigeration and freezing.