SRF to set up pilot plant for next-gen refrigerant gas HFO 1234yf

The Gurgaon-based SRF Ltd, a manufacturer of intermediate chemicals and refrigerant gases, will set up a pilot plant to manufacture next generation refrigerant gas, HFO 1234yf. As a result of this initiative, SRF will become the first technology developer outside US and Europe to manufacture HFO 1234yf, which is expected to find increasing use in car air-conditioning systems globally in future.
 
By venturing to develop its own process in-house R&D capabilities in refrigerant gases and high value fluorine based products, SRF Ltd has further reinforced its position in this niche domain. The in-house technology will allow SRF to manufacture, brand and sell HFO 1234yf in India and in global markets and also develop other HFO refrigerants in future. "The capex for setting up a pilot facility for HFO 1234yf is a milestone step in SRF’s journey towards becoming an R&D based chemical manufacturer at the world stage," said SRF in a press release.
   
Significantly, the SRF announcement follows the recent agreement of Honeywell to license its proprietary process technologies to Navin Fluorine for producing the refrigerant Solstice yf (also known as HFO-1234yf) in India exclusively for Honeywell.

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According to SRF, the roots of its success in the space of R&D go back to the mid 90s when it became the first company in India to have indigenously developed the technology to manufacture HFC 134a and HFC 32. Till date, SRF remains the only producer of HFC 134a in India and has recently commissioned its HFC 32 plant, again with its own technology.
 
“SRF’s success in manufacturing HFO 1234yf will be a path breaking initiative as the development is likely to come soon after the gas was introduced by global manufacturers in international markets. Being an indigenous process, this is not only in line with Prime Minister’s initiative of ‘Make in India’ but, more importantly, it reflects the ‘Made by India’ philosophy as well,” said SRF in the release.