Counterfeit versions of a Honeywell refrigerant that is often used in car air conditioning systems have been seized in the Czech Republic.
The counterfeits are allegedly knockoffs of Solstice yf (R1234yf), a low globalwarming potential (GWP) refrigerant designed to meet the needs of the automotive industry for a greener AC chemical that can reduce harmful emissions. Honeywell tipped off the Czech authorities about the unlicensed refrigerant, said to be manufactured in China, and following the seizure filed a lawsuit against a Czech distributor that it said had tried to offer the product for sale. Since then, the company has also filed two additional infringement lawsuits against a Chinese manufacturer and a Chinese distributor that it accuses of offering the suspected counterfeit in Germany.
Fake refrigerants can cause a variety of issues, ranging from increased energy use and decreased cooling performance, to significantly reducing the operating life of your system, and causing injury and equipment failures. A prime example of the risks is a notorious incident in 2011 in which shipping line Maersk reported three cases in which refrigeration units exploded due to the use of counterfeit chemicals, causing three deaths. “Honeywell is working to ensure that our customers have access to safe and high-quality refrigerants, and we have a long history of working closely with global law enforcement agencies to stop the spread of potentially dangerous unlicensed or counterfeit products,” said Richard Winick, Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Refrigerants at Honeywell.
