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Freon™ 22 (R-22) Refrigerant

Our Brand Assurance Promise: Updates About the HCFC Phaseout

Many diverse industries have depended on Freon™ 22 (R-22) refrigerant as their go-to hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) cooling product for decades. It's been the most widely used choice for air conditioning (AC) and medium- to low-temperature commercial refrigeration because of its dependability—and because it works.

But when global regulations, including the Montreal Protocol, required phasing out HCFC products in favor of more environmentally sustainable, non-ozone depleting options, chemical companies focused on developing solutions to make the transition easier for the refrigeration industry.

Nevertheless, R-22 isn't going away overnight. Different regions and countries are following different time phaseout frames; recycled R-22 will be available on the market for many years.

But with an anticipated reduction in supply, the Freon™ brand is committed to eliminating any confusion about the quality of available product in the market and to keeping consumers aware of the risks around counterfeit products along the supply chain. For now, however, it's important to provide customers and everyone who currently uses R-22 with the most current, updated information and brand assurance.

Eventually, domestic and commercial AC systems will need an R-22 replacement refrigerant, as will medium- and low-temperature commercial refrigeration systems. These systems include:

  • Food service storage and displays
  • Supermarket cases
  • Ice machines
  • Some transport refrigeration systems

If you're ready to make the switch, find out which Chemours refrigerant is the best option for replacing R-22 for your applications.

Regulations for the long-term use of R-22 vary by region and application, and may change over time. For the latest information, please visit the Regulations page.

If you're looking for a low global warming potential (GWP) alternative, consider Chemours’ portfolio of Opteon™ refrigerants.