As China's most widely used HCFC (HCFC) industry, the HCFC phase out plan for the first phase of the polyurethane foam industry has basically been completed, and the acceptance of all project enterprises will be completed within the year. So, what is the second phase elimination plan of the industry? What are the promotion policies and technical support? Recently, the 2008 Forum on the Development of Polyurethane Hard Foam Industry, organized by the Polyurethane Products Special Committee of China Plastic Processing Industry Association, held in Guilin, discussed the above issues.

Polyurethane foam industry mainly uses HCFC-141b (fluorine, two chloroethane) as foaming agent. According to the consensus reached by the Conference of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in 2007, China will complete the production and consumption phase-out of all manufacturing industries by 2030.

Sun Bo, the three project of the environmental protection cooperation center of the Ministry of ecology and environment, said that at present, the HCFC elimination plan for the first phase of the polyurethane foam industry has basically ended. The main choice is cyclopentane and water foaming technology instead of HCFC-141b, and a total of 57 contracts have been signed, and 12956 tons of HCFC-141b have been eliminated. Among them, 17 enterprises choose full water foaming technology, 40 enterprises choose cyclopentane foaming technology. Up to now, 36 projects have been checked and accepted, and all projects will be checked and accepted within the year.

It is understood that in December 2016, the second phase of the polyurethane foam industry HCFC elimination plan was approved, and the action guide for eliminating HCFC in the whole industry was determined. The plan integrates the national performance targets, the status of China's polyurethane foam industry and the maturity of alternative technologies, and adopts accelerated and phased elimination strategy, which is 30% reduction in 2018, 45% reduction in 2020, and complete elimination in 2026.

As the largest producer, exporter and user of HCFC in the world, China still faces many challenges in the follow-up phase-out. "This requires the relevant departments and industries to take active actions to ensure the timely implementation of the objectives of the implementation of the contract, and promote the upgrading of technology level and green sustainable development of enterprises in the industry by participating in all-round aspects, such as alternative transformation projects, technology research and promotion, policy and regulation formulation, and supervision of the elimination of results." Sun Bo said.

Sun Bo said that the second phase elimination plan will draw lessons from the implementation policies and management measures at the first stage, through the way of open collection and expert examination, sign the HCFC elimination contract with the required polyurethane foam enterprises, support the necessary equipment and safety transformation through Multilateral Fund grants, use zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) and low GWP (global warming potential) technology. Replace HCFC-141b foaming agent. At the same time, innovative project execution mode, through the issuance of tickets to connect upstream and downstream industries, SMEs standard foaming equipment renovation and raw material procurement funding.

Sun Bo said that the polyurethane foam HCFC phase second phase out action plan will introduce a series of policy measures, including the implementation of progress according to the industry plan, policy evaluation, timely promulgation of the prohibition announcement on the prohibition of the use of HCFC as foaming agent in the polyurethane foam industry, timely updating and publishing of HCFC alternative technical guidelines, recommended list of substitutes, and the future development of alternative technologies. The recommended catalogue is updated at the right time, the technical standards of the industry are evaluated and sorted, and the relevant standards are revised and formulated according to the different requirements of foam products performance and testing methods in different application fields. The local environmental protection departments should strengthen the filing management and daily supervision of the use and sale of HCFC, and intensify the inspection and enforcement.

In addition, during the implementation of the phase-out plan, the Foreign Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will design and carry out various forms of technical assistance activities to provide technical support for the successful implementation of HCFC phase-out, regularly evaluate the development of alternative technologies, and further optimize alternative technologies, including the formulation of raw material systems, production processes and equipment, for small and medium-sized enterprises. Provide technical guidance to facilitate their technology conversion.

Cao Jian, deputy director of China Plastic Processing Industry Association, told reporters that the application of polyurethane rigid foams was affected by the immature substitution technology of HCFC-141b. China Plastic Association will actively cooperate with the Foreign Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecological Environment to ensure the smooth realization of HCFC consumption elimination goals; encourage enterprises to carry out elimination activities and adopt climate-friendly alternative technologies; encourage propaganda of appropriate alternative technologies, promote the development and promotion of appropriate technologies, and ensure that the development of relevant industries is not affected.

At this meeting, several experts introduced the latest development of alternative HCFC technologies, such as cyclopentane foaming and new carbon dioxide assisted foaming spraying. Among them, Bi Yusui, a professor of Shandong University of Technology, first disclosed the molecular structure and application effect of a new chemical foaming agent developed by Shandong University of Technology and Butian New Material Company.

According to Bi Yusui, the new chemical foaming agent has the characteristics of safety, green and environmental protection, no VOCs emissions, ODP is 0, GWP is 1. At present, the new blowing agent has been successfully applied in cold storage, building, pipeline spraying, household appliances, door industry, thermal insulation board, and so on. It completely substitutes for the key technical indicators such as foam materials, heat insulation and dimensional stability of the physical foaming agent containing fluorine and fluorine, and meets the application requirements.