Chill It!

For shops, the change to new mobile A/C refrigerants may seem confusing, as there are risks associated with not getting it right with systems currently in use for Recovery, Recycle, and Recharge. RRR machines simplify refrigerant service but are an added expense. So, purchasing a new machine to enable high-performing, low-GWP refrigerants can make owners and technicians hesitant to switch from incumbent refrigerants. This article clarifies why Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials is uniquely suited to develop next-generation refrigerants to meet the requirements of the U.S. AIM Act, which is phasing down HFC production and consumption.

As a global leader in the production of refrigerants with over 70 years of experience producing refrigerants for Mobile A/C, OF&EM has some unique advantages in developing next-generation refrigerants that will address the EPA phase-down of CO2-equivalent emissions.

Unlike many refrigerant manufacturers, OF&EM’s parent company, Orbia, owns a mine that provides access to high-quality, natural fluorspar, a primary component to produce A/C refrigerant. This advantage provides a secure source for A/C refrigerant, ensuring a long-standing supply of its new refrigerants with a mine-to-market supply chain.

Through vertical integration and advanced production capabilities, OF&EM can manufacture cost-effective, direct replacement refrigerants - Klea® Edge™ 444A and Klea® 456A. Both are composed of commercially available building block refrigerants with mature supply chains, which allows them to enter the market at competitive prices.

Our Mission

OF&EM’s mission is to develop refrigerants that would meet the competing demands of performance, i.e., efficiency and cooling capacity, while meeting regulatory requirements. To do this, OF&EM opted for blends that would match or exceed the performance of incumbent refrigerants but also offer new opportunities for cooling and efficiency.

Klea® Edge™ 444A

Klea® Edge™ 444A (R-444A) is a zeotropic blend that delivers cooling reliability, low-GWP, and minimal modifications to existing vehicle system settings and service processes.
 

For servicing, shops may use either a certified R-134a or R-1234yf recovery machine to remove the existing refrigerant. Standard tools like vacuum pumps and refrigerant pressure gauge sets can be used to recharge the system, as can a new or upcycled machine programmed for R-456A or R-444A. The only required vehicle modifications are the use of refrigerant-specific fittings required by the EPA and a label denoting the new refrigerant. Learn more here.

 Disclaimer: R-444A and R-456A are provisionally available pending final federal action under section 612 of the Clean Air Act. R-456A currently has provisional authorization for professional and DIY servicing, while R-444A currently has limited provisional authorization for professional servicing, with DIY authorization pending. EPA has proposed under SNAP Rule 27 to list both as acceptable, subject to use conditions, for MVAC professional and DIY servicing, with final action expected by mid-2026. Use conditions and other restrictions apply.