Air-conditioner Environmental Program



			Here's What Daikin is Doing

• Protecting the Ozone Layer

• Protecting the Ozone Layer and Preventing Global Warming

			Protecting the Ozone Layer

1. Daikin First to Mass-Produce HFCs in Japan
Daikin has worked to develop and spread the use of HFCs through actions that include the first mass-production in Japan of HFCs, which have an ozone depletion potential of zero.

First mass-production in Japan
November 1991	HFC134a
March 1997	HFC32 (first in world)
March 2001	HFC125

2. Converting Air-Conditioner Refrigerants to HFCs
Daikin is phasing out the HCFC (R-22) currently in use and replacing it with HFCs, which have an ozone depletion potential of zero.

The Worldwide Switch to HFC
Japan	Most products sold now use HFC refrigerant. However, some small-lot production air-conditioners still have not made the switch to HFC*.
Europe	Only HFC refrigerant products are sold.
Australia	HFC refrigerant products sold.
United States	Only HFC refrigerant products are sold.
China	Daikin began selling HFC refrigerant multi-purpose air-conditioners for buildings in January 2005.
Asia, Other Regions	Daikin will begin selling HFC refrigerant multi-purpose air-conditioners for buildings in 2005.

			Protecting the Ozone Layer and Preventing Global Warming

1. Daikin has Started Building a Nationwide System for the Recovery and Destruction of Fluorocarbons
In Japan, Daikin has built a system for collecting refrigerants from used air-conditioners and then breaking these down into environmentally harmless substances. The system went into operation in April 2002.
Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, the Daikin Contact Center takes requests to recover air-conditioner refrigerants. There are currently 1,500 refrigerant recovery teams all over Japan, which recover refrigerants and send them to Daikin’s Kashima Plant and to fluorocarbon destruction plants around Japan, where they are properly broken down.

2. Searching for HFC Refrigerants with Minimum Global Warming Potential
Daikin is looking at HFC32, a refrigerant that is highly efficient yet has little environmental impact and minimum global warming impact. Although HFC32 is slightly flammable, Daikin is working to overcome this problem and achieve practical application of this refrigerant.

3. Using Natural Refrigerants
Natural refrigerants are substances that exist in nature that can be used as refrigerants. The main natural refrigerants are ammonia, hydro carbon (propane), and CO₂. It’s our policy to use natural refrigerants in whatever fields possible with consideration for efficiency and safety. Daikin products currently on the market include an ammonia absorption chiller and chilling unit using ammonia, and a heat pump water heater using CO₂.

4. Developing Products and Taking Measures Wherever Possible
We’re taking all possible measures, including developing air-conditioners that don’t easily leak refrigerants and that allow easy refrigerant recovery, and recovering refrigerant during the manufacturing and air-conditioning repair processes.