Arkema is facing continuing cost increases of key raw materials necessary to manufacture Forane® R22, a HCFC refrigerant. As a result, a price increase of 14 % will be implemented in Europe effective February 15th 2009.

The European Directive 2037/2000 bans the emissive use of virgin HCFC’s(1) in Europe starting January 1rst 2010. Arkema supports the European Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration industry in the transition from HCFC to the next generation HFC(2) refrigerants by offering the retrofit fluid Forane® R427A based on HFCs allowing continued servicing of existing HCFC installations.

Arkema is the world’s second largest fluorochemicals producer, and currently operates four industrial facilities on three continents: Pierre-Bénite in France, Zaramillo in Spain, Changshu in China, and Calvert City in the United States. The products manufactured in these four plants are sold under the Forane® trademark to the refrigeration and air-conditioning (construction and automobile), insulating foam, solvent, and aerosol industries.

A global chemical player, Arkema consists of 3 coherent and related business segments: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Present in over 40 countries with 15,200 employees, Arkema achieves sales of 5.7 billion euros. With its 6 research centers in France, the United States and Japan, and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.

(1) HydroChloroFluoroCarbon
(2) HydroFluoroCarbon