Arkema executes $60 million upgradation of fluorospecialties production unit in US

Forane FBA 1233zd blowing agent provides a versatile and sustainable solution for industries such as efficient buildings, roofing, and appliance manufacturing

With the successful start-up of its 15 kt Forane 1233zd production unit in Calvert City, Kentucky, Arkema continues to develop its low Global Warming Potential (GWP) fluorospecialties, to meet the increasing demand for more sustainable solutions in building insulation and thermal management.

Aligned with Arkema’s ambition to provide its customers with sustainable and innovative solutions, the Group announced in 2022 the investment of around US$60 million in Calvert City to upgrade its previous HFC production line into a state-of-the-art HFO 1233zd unit.

Forane FBA 1233zd blowing agent provides a versatile and sustainable solution for industries such as efficient buildings, roofing, and appliance manufacturing, designed to tackle key challenges faced by polyurethane foam manufacturers, including thermal performance, environmental impact, and safety. As a non-ozone depleting foam-blowing agent with a 99% reduction in GWP compared to the legacy HFC solution, Forane® FBA 1233zd is SNAP-approved for most polyurethane foam applications.

In addition, Forane HTS 1233zd cooling properties enable efficient and sustainable thermal management, notably in high temperature heat-pumps and data centers cooling.

As one of the world’s largest producers of 1233zd, Arkema is well-positioned to serve both domestic and international markets with best-in-class technology and service.

“This new Forane 1233zd production unit demonstrates Arkema’s ambition to deliver sustainable high-performance materials to our US and global customers in building insulation and thermal management. This investment confirms our commitment to support the transition of the foam industry towards low GWP solutions, and will enable us to follow the rapid expansion of data centers cooling needs,” said Laurent Tellier, Senior Vice-President High Performance Polymers and Fluorogases.