Whirlpool and Honeywell introduce efficient insulation

Demonstrating mutual commitments to environmental leadership, Whirlpool and Honeywell have announced that all U.S-made Whirlpool refrigerators will incorporate Honeywell's Solstice LBA (Liquid Blowing Agent). This includes future product lineups from Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, and KitchenAid brands. The most environmentally responsible blowing agent available, boasting lower GWP (global-warming potential) than other non-ozone-depleting substitutes, Solstice LBA outperforms commonly used hydrocarbons such as C-Pentane, providing better low-temperature insulation performance and higher energy savings. Whirlpool is the first refrigerator manufacturer in the U.S. committed to incorporating this new class of blowing agent into its products, providing customers with refrigerators that offer higher efficiency and lower environmental footprint. Honeywell Solstice LBA offers an 8-10% improvement in efficiency over refrigerator platforms tested with hydrocarbon blown foam insulation, and a 2% improvement over HFC-245fa (1,1,1,3,3-Pentafluoropropane), currently the most widely-used foam blowing agent in the US. "Whirlpool Corporation is an environmental leader, developing high-quality products that offer both efficiency and low environmental impact," said Ludovic Beaufils, GM refrigeration and sustainability lead for Whirlpool North America. "Through this collaboration with Honeywell, we are once again leading the way with the most advanced materials that offer the greatest benefits to consumers." Honeywell Solstice LBA, which was granted approval under the US EPA's SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) program, has a 100-year global warming potential between 4.7 and 7—a 99% improvement over HFC-245fa. A near drop-in replacement, it also offers cost benefits and is non-flammable, providing safety advantages over other hydrocarbon blowing agents. "Honeywell's Solstice [LBA] deliver[s] the optimal combined enhancement of environment, performance, safety, and cost effectiveness," said Terrence Hahn, vice president and general manager, Fluorine Products. "We are pleased to supply Whirlpool with Solstice LBA to ensure those benefits are experienced both in their operations and for their customers." Whirlpool will begin production by late 2013. Honeywell Whirlpool