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External sources (not reviewed)

The verification did not include HCFC-22 production data and data on other products using the same raw materials as CFCs (i.e. HF and CTC).

There are several annexes to the verification report, including: Annex I containing the details and rationale for the steps taken in closing down the CFC plant; Annex II, which is the presentation of the plant closure data in the format approved by the Executive Committee; Annex III, which contains the photos showing the pieces of equipment that had been dismantled or refitted; and Annex IV, which includes data, by month, on the consumption of HF and chloroform, the production of HCFC-22 and the HF/HCFC-22 and chloroform/HCFC-22 ratios.

Specifically, the auditor checked the access of the plant to CTC, the dismantling of the CFC production-related equipment, the consumption of HF (the common raw material for the production of CFC and HCFC-22) and the balance of the remaining inventory of CFCs and CTC from levels recorded at the end of 2007.

Since the CDM was introduced in 2003, and if it has led to an artificial increase in HCFC-22 production and lower prices of HCFC-22, an examination of HCFC-22 production and prices before and after 2003 should provide an indication of its impact, taking into account the prices of HCFC-22 as a raw material, HF and chloroform.

The company intended to undertake a demonstration project to convert to use of a HFC refrigerant (HFC-407 and/or HFC-410a) and an ODS-free blowing agent (HFC or hydrocarbons).

[...] [...] emissions of chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

[...] iron, manganese, hydrogen sulphide, fluoride, and chloride.

[...] acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, fluorine, and hydrochloric acid (for example, EN1122-2001 “Plastic- Determination of cadmium – Wet decomposition method), (2) Pressure decomposition in sealed container using nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, fluorine, and hydrochloric [...] [...]

[...] [...] the continued increase in HFCs could become a major concern for the environment, the difficulties in mobilizing funds at the Twenty-Third Meeting of the Parties raised doubts as to how sufficient resources could be mobilized to fund the phase-down of HFCs.

These include the additional training and certification of refrigeration service technicians, particularly in the northern part of the country, additional training and awareness-raising of customs officers, retrofitting of small-capacity commercial refrigeration systems and cold rooms to alternative refrigerants (mainly hydrocarbon-based and CFC-MAC units to HFC-134a); continued public awareness and information dissemination activities; and management and monitoring activities.

In further discussing other elements of the project with UNIDO, the Secretariat indicated that, considering the amount of CFC consumption in the sector, the fact that only one laboratory is being considered for replacement, and the fact that Mexico already has a large supply of MDIs using both HFA and DPIs from other companies, the project preparation could be done at a lower cost than that requested by UNIDO.

It is noted that the only two technologies proposed in the Foam Sector Plan are hydrocarbons (blended at the foam manufacturing enterprises, except for small enterprises where hydrocarbon-based pre-blended systems will be provided), and HFC for a limited number of enterprises.

[...] [...] large transition to HFCs with relatively high [...] [...]

Given the technical and cost related issues; the higher operating costs associated with the introduction of HFC-based technologies as compared to HCFC-141b throughout the life time of the enterprises; and the negative impact to the climate associated with the higher GWP of the alternative substances as compared to HCFC-141b, the Secretariat and UNIDO assessed an alternative approach for stage I of the HPMP (as explained in paragraph 31 below).

[...] [...] elimination of CFC in Honduras, whereby support will be given to the sectors with the highest consumption of CFC and the conversion of domestic refrigerating equipment will be encouraged, or else the use of substitute substances such as hydrocarbons, and the legal [...] [...]

The Secretariat also noted that, according to data provided by one manufacturer of alternative blowing agents, optimized HBA-2 (an HFO with an estimated GWP of 6 to 7) is a near drop-in replacement for liquid HCFC, HFC, hydrocarbons and other blowing agents; it is non-flammable; it has a low GWP value (below 7); exhibits 1.5 to 2.0 per cent energy efficiency improvement compared to baseline HFC-245fa; and might be commercially available in 2012-2013.

The representative of the Secretariat said that UNDP had submitted a project proposal on behalf of the Government of Colombia for phasing-out use CFCs in the manufacture of MDIs by assisting the sole locally owned enterprise producing CFC-MDIs to convert its production line to HFA technology by 2012.

[...] control of HFCs had been underscored during the seminar on protecting our atmosphere for [...] [...]

The National Ozone Unit (OPROZ) will organize regular coordination meetings with industry stakeholders, HCFC and HFC importers, Government stakeholders (Ministries of Industry, Foreign Affairs), various industry associations, and all sectors involved, in order to enact the necessary agreements and measures to carry out the investment and non-investment activities on time and in a coordinated manner.

[...] [...] that emissions of HFCs were covered by the [...] [...]

It should be noted that the following clause has been added to the Agreement : “The Country agrees, in cases where HFC technologies have been chosen as an alternative HCFC, and taking into account national circumstances related to health and safety: to monitor the availability of substitutes and alternatives that further minimize impacts on the climate; to consider, in the review of regulations standards and incentives adequate provisions that encourage introduction of such alternatives; and to consider the potential for adoption of cost-effective alternatives that minimize the climate impact in the implementation of the HPMP, as appropriate, and inform the Executive Committee on the progress accordingly.

[...] [...] production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons.