Arkema has started up its 15 kilotonne per year Forane 1233zd production facility in Calvert City, Kentucky, the company reports. This facility produces hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) 1233zd, a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) fluorochemical designed for advanced thermal management and insulation applications, including data center cooling.

The Calvert City project involved a US$60 million upgrade of Arkema’s previous hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) line to a modern HFO 1233zd unit, which the company announced in 2022. According to Arkema, this investment aligns with its goal of providing sustainable and technical material solutions for thermal management in data centers, efficient building insulation, roofing, and appliance manufacturing.

Forane FBA 1233zd is a foam-blowing agent aimed at polyurethane foam manufacturers, with claimed benefits in thermal performance, environmental impact, and operational safety. Arkema states that the agent is non-ozone depleting and SNAP-approved for most polyurethane foam applications, offering up to 99 percent lower GWP compared to previous HFC-based solutions.

Additionally, Forane HTS 1233zd is targeted for cooling applications, with Arkema highlighting its use in high-temperature heat pumps and data center thermal management systems. The company says its large-scale production capacity positions it to supply both domestic and international markets with these fluorospecialties.

Arkema reports that the new Forane 1233zd unit supports the rapid scaling of thermal solutions as data center demand expands. Arkema states, “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.”

Source: Arkema