Arkema Introduces a Low-GWP Replacement for R-134A

The chemical company Arkema has introduced a new refrigerant called Forane 516A, meant to replace R-134A, a refrigerant long used in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The new blend has a global warming potential (GWP, a measure of how much a gas contributes to climate change compared to carbon dioxide) of less than 150, far lower than older refrigerants, and it does not deplete the ozone layer. It has been approved by the EPA under its Significant New Alternatives Policy program, which vets replacement refrigerants for safety and environmental impact.

Arkema says Forane 516A is designed for new equipment, including residential and light commercial air conditioning, chillers, and commercial refrigeration systems, as well as data center cooling and high-temperature heat pumps. It's classified as A2L, a safety category for refrigerants that are mildly flammable, which is common among newer low-GWP options already appearing in HVAC equipment.

For homeowners, this is not something you need to act on now. It's a sign of a broader shift happening across the industry, as manufacturers roll out lower-GWP refrigerants to meet tightening regulations. Over time, that shift means new air conditioners, heat pumps, and refrigerators sold will increasingly use refrigerants like this one instead of older, higher-GWP options. If you're buying new cooling equipment in the coming years, you may see refrigerants like Forane 516A listed on the specs, but no immediate changes are required for equipment you already own.