SAE International Begins New 2012 R1234yf Cooperative Research Program and Names Initial Participants

DETROIT, Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In October 2012, a fourth SAE International Cooperative Research Program (CRP) was launched by the automotive industry to further analyze the safety of the new mobile air conditioner refrigerant, R1234yf. The participants in the 2012 R1234yf CRP include Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, PSA, Renault and Toyota.

The previous three SAE International CRP's related to R1234yf began in 2007, and concluded three years later with a determination that the refrigerant can be used safely in vehicles that are designed for the new refrigerant. R1234yf was judged to be an acceptable alternative for mobile air conditioning systems while meeting new environmental and consumer needs.

Despite previous confirmations of the safety of R1234yf in both laboratory and vehicle testing, in September 2012, Daimler raised a new question about the safe usage of R1234yf based on their most recent vehicle tests. In response, leading global automobile manufacturers have joined together in this new SAE International CRP to perform an updated engineering analysis based on the most recent information. This research team is working as quickly as possible to resolve this question and will issue interim reports as well as a final statement at the conclusion of the CRP's activities.

These SAE International CRP activities are in response to the international regulations by the European Union that require all new type approved vehicles to use a refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) below 150. Current global mobile air conditioning systems use R134a, a refrigerant having a GWP of approximately 1,430. R1234yf has a GWP of four.