Daikin Industries has announced it is offering companies worldwide free access to 93 patents, to encourage companies to use R32 refrigerant.

Daikin Industries has announced it is offering companies worldwide free access to 93 patents, to encourage companies todevelop and commercialize air conditioning, cooling and heat pump equipment that use HFC-32 as a single component refrigerant.

Daikin’s action is aimed at encouraging manufacturers worldwide to adopt sustainable comfort cooling and heating technologies that use R32.

“Daikin has been offering free access to these patents in emerging markets since 2011 to accelerate the phas eout of ozonedepleting refrigerants, such as R22,” said Shinya Okada, Daikin’s senior executive officer. “Given the urgent need to address climate change, Daikin believes that this is the right time to extend free access to certain HFC32 equipment patents to manufacturers worldwide.”

There is no patent that covers the HFC32 chemical itself and it is readily available from suppliers other than Daikin.

This free access to certain patents allows manufacturers to utilise Daikin’s technologies for airconditioning, cooling and heat pump equipment using HFC32 single component refrigerant and encourages the global industry o grow responsibly, as well as meet rising demand.

Conversion from high-GWP refrigerants is already underway.

Last year, the European Union enacted the revised Fgas regulation to reduce the global warming impact of refrigerants. In the United States,the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of revising its regulations that establish acceptable alternatives for ozone depleting and high-GWP refrigerants.

In addition, Japan’s Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons, which came into force in April 2015, encouragesconversion from high-GWP refrigerants.

“Sharing environmentally beneficial air conditioning technologies without royalty payments can speed up environmental gains at a time when fast action is essential for climate protection,” said Durwood Zaelke, president of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development.

“Free access to patented technologies sets a powerful precedent for other companies aiming to be environmental champions.”

Companies interested in obtaining access to these patents should contact Daikin Legal.