Honeywell’s Solstice® Named Finalist for Reuters Honor

Honeywell’s Solstice® portfolio of ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) products is a finalist for one of the prestigious 2022 Reuters Responsible Business Awards. In addition, Solstice was recently recognized as 2022 Product of the Year by Environment + Energy Leader, a top sustainability publication.

Honeywell Solstice refrigerants, blowing agents, aerosol propellants and cleaning solvents replace materials that either deplete the ozone or contribute to global warming. Developed using breakthrough hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, Solstice has a GWP of less than 1, which represents a 99.9% improvement compared to previous-generation materials – with no sacrifice in performance.

Honeywell has invested more than $1 billion in the Solstice product line and the results have been impressive. The use of Solstice products has resulted in the reduction of more than 260 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. That’s equivalent to eliminating emissions from more than 56 million cars for one year.

Supermarkets are one of the leading application for our refrigerants. Solstice is used in refrigerated display cases and freezers in more than 60,000 locations, including Whole Foods stores in the U.S. and 160 Walmart stores in Mexico and Central America.

We recently introduced a new Solstice blend designed specifically for use in new refrigeration equipment and medium temperature applications. With Solstice N71, Honeywell has engineered a next-generation solution that meets increasingly stringent regulations and accelerates the supermarket industry's ability to achieve carbon neutrality.

Solstice shrinks customers’ environmental footprint

In addition, we’re helping customers find innovative ways to use Solstice technology in heating and cooling applications, while also leaving a smaller environmental footprint. We recently worked with Danfoss Climate Solutions and other partners to create an effective district-heating solution for the Danish island of Zealand.

Together, the companies transformed a longstanding, fossil fuel-powered heat plant with energy-preserving Solstice ze refrigerant and cutting-edge Danfoss Turbocor compressor technology. About a year later, the heat plant had already met its energy, cost reduction and emissions reduction goals. The heat pumps increased the efficiency and capacity of the facility by 20% and 30%, respectively, and the district heating utility exceeded its target of 95% carbon-free heat.

Solstice is also driving better environmental performance for cars, trucks and other vehicles. It’s a near drop-in replacement for previous-generation, less planet-friendly refrigerants, helping automakers comply with EU low-GWP requirements and achieve their own sustainability goals. Solstice yf is the refrigerant of choice used to air condition more than 100 million vehicles worldwide. That number is expected to rise to 125 million in a few years.

Other key Solstice applications include use:

• As a foam-blowing agent to create energy-saving insulation for homes, buildings and appliances;
• As a way to cool heat-generating electronics in large data centers; and
• As a more planet-friendly aerosol propellant for medical applications, personal care products, pressure dusters, lubricants and cleaners, and disinfectants.

Solstice Propellants offer low GWP, high performance

With globally adopted phase-down regulations to reduce carbon emissions, traditional propellants used in medicines and cosmetics are being eliminated. Honeywell’s Solstice Propellant offers environmental, safety and regulatory benefits without compromising on performance.

For example, we’re working with biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to replace the high GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) currently used in the company’s metered dose inhalers with Solstice Air. It’s the only non-flammable, near-zero GWP medical propellant available for pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs). These inhalers are used to treat asthma and COPD patients throughout the world. Moving to Solstice Air will help AstraZeneca achieve its ambitious carbon-neutrality targets.

At Honeywell, we pride ourselves on helping our customers in dozens of industries reach their sustainability goals. We’ve pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in our own facilities and operations by 2035. We are setting science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets that include Scope 3 emissions across our value chain and throughout our products’ lives.

Our thanks to Environment + Energy Leader and Reuters for these selections and, more importantly, this validation that Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies is living up to our aspirations of making a difference for our customers and the planet.