BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) announced it has implemented the use of Honeywell's Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent (LBA), into its environmentally responsible and energy efficient insulation used in U.S.-made refrigerators and freezers. The global warming potential (GWP) of the new foam blowing agent is 99.9%i lower than 245fa the most common foam blowing agent widely used within the U.S. industry, resulting in a more environmentally-responsible household refrigerator. The conversion of all U.S. manufacturing centers is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014 and the impact to the global warming effect will be the equivalent of removing more than 400,000 cars from the roadii.
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"Whirlpool Corporation and Honeywell believe we have responsibility to be as proactive as we can to preserve our environment, and meet the demands of our consumers," said Joseph Liotine, president of Whirlpool U.S. operations. "By introducing this new insulation to our refrigerators, we've taken steps to reduce global warming potential, the most significant contributor to environmental impact for refrigerators without compromising quality or the energy efficiency of our appliances."
This is the first use of the innovative blowing agents in home appliances. Through the partnership Whirlpool Corporation is the world's first home appliance manufacturer to begin implementing Honeywell's new Solstice® blowing agent in its foam insulation. The company has already voluntarily begun phasing out its use of hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) in its U.S. refrigerators and freezers utilizing the co-developed foam that provides more energy efficiency than commonly used hydrocarbons and the lowest global warming potential in its class.
"Whirlpool is a world-class company that is leading the way with highly efficient, environmentally friendlier products, and that is reflected in their choice of Honeywell Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent for their new line of refrigerators," said Andreas Kramvis, president and chief executive officer of Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies. "We are pleased to see Whirlpool at the vanguard of the global effort to combat climate change while retaining the high performance that consumers have come to expect from their products."
Next Generation Technology for Near Zero GWP Impact
Blowing agents such as Honeywell's Solstice LBA allow foam insulation to expand and provide the majority of the foam's insulating properties. Honeywell's Solstice® LBA has a GWP of 1, the same as carbon dioxide, and is non-ozone-depleting. The foam blowing agent has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is listed under the EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP). Most recently, Solstice® LBA was a key component in the roofing system applied to more than 500,000 square feet of roof at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to Solstice LBA, Honeywell's family of Solstice-branded products includes stationary and mobile refrigerants, gaseous blowing agents, propellants, and solvents that help customers lower their carbon footprint without sacrificing end-product performance.
[*Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Census Bureau]
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion in 2012, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag,KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.
i Based on comparisons of previously used blowing agents, Hydroflurocarbon (HFC) 245fa with Global Warming Potential of 1020 and Honeywell Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent, a Hydrofluoro-Olefin 1233zd(e) with Global Warming Potential of 1.
ii Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Emissions Equivalency Calendar and company calculations of a total CO2 reduction. http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html
SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation
