Hanon Systems, a company under the Korea & Company Group specializing in automotive thermal energy management solutions, announced on July 7 that it has published an official white paper detailing its next-generation PFAS-free natural refrigerant technology.
The white paper addresses the environmental limitations of fluorinated gases and outlines a specific roadmap for alternative natural refrigerant technologies. It has been made publicly available globally through the business platform LinkedIn and has garnered interest from academia and the global automotive industry, including the natural refrigerant-focused organization ATMOsphere.
The release of the white paper was planned to address the pressing challenges faced by the automotive industry amid rapidly changing global environmental regulations. Currently, commonly used fluorinated refrigerants like R1234yf decompose in the atmosphere, converting into TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a persistent toxic substance that contributes to environmental pollution and carbon emissions by being absorbed into soil, plants, and human blood through rain and snow.
For the past 20 years, Hanon Systems has developed natural refrigerant solutions utilizing propane (R290) and carbon dioxide (R744). The company has supplied its R744-based electric compressors to Volkswagen's dedicated electric vehicle MEB platform, successfully equipping over one million vehicles since 2020. Hanon Systems is now accelerating the commercialization of R290-based refrigerant module technology, which is gaining attention as a key alternative for future eco-friendly refrigerants and next-generation PFAS-free solutions.
Hanon Systems' natural refrigerant technologies have been validated for heating performance through real-world tests conducted in extreme cold and heat conditions in Europe, and the company is fully prepared for immediate mass production. The technologies are recognized for meeting the diverse needs of global automotive manufacturers while exceeding future regulatory requirements.
Lee Soo-il, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hanon Systems, stated, "The publication of this white paper demonstrates Hanon Systems' technical confidence and responsibility in proactively responding to the global regulatory environment. The most effective solution to the PFAS regulations and environmental pollution issues facing the industry is the natural refrigerant technology we possess, and we will continue to lead the way in building a sustainable future for the automotive industry in collaboration with global automakers."
Detailed information about the newly published next-generation eco-friendly refrigerant technology white paper and Hanon Systems' natural refrigerant portfolio can be accessed and downloaded by anyone through the 'Eco-Friendly Refrigerant Technology' section on Hanon Systems' official website.
Meanwhile, Korea & Company Group is responding to the rapidly changing business environment, including strengthened global carbon regulations and increased demands for carbon reduction across supply chains, based on Chairman Cho Hyun-bum's ESG philosophy.
The group is actively promoting sustainable management through initiatives such as establishing a carbon neutrality roadmap, enhancing energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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