The republic of India has successfully achieved complete phase out of the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141 b. It is a chemical used in foam manufacturing companies and is one of the most potent ozone depleting chemicals after the Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). India took the challenge to phase out HCFC-141b by January 1, 2020.
HCFC 141b:
i.Act to prohibit usage of HCFC-141b: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued a notification for the prohibition of HCFC-141b from Jan 1st, 2020 under the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2019 issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.This was achieved through the ministry’s HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP).
ii.Usage closed by foam manufacturers: The use of the chemical by foam manufacturing industry was also closed as on 1st January, 2020 under the Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2014.The complete phase out of HCFC 141 b from India in foam sector is among the first at this scale in Article 5 parties (developing countries) under the Montreal Protocol.
- 50% of the ozone depleting chemicals in the country was attributable to HCFC-141 b in the foam sector.
iii.HCFC-141b content removal: The complete phase out of HCFC 141 b from the country in foam sector was the 1st at its scale in Article 5 parties (developing countries) under the Montreal Protocol. The implementation of HPMP has removed around 7800 Metric Tonnes(MT) of HCFC 141-b from the baseline level of 2009 and 2010 in India.
iv.MoA signed: The Ozone Cell under the MoEF&CC entered into a MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology(CIPET), Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals to facilitate and hand-holding the foam manufacturing enterprises.
v.Commercial use: It is mainly used as blowing agent in polyurethane (PU) foams productions. The PU sectors have important links with economic sectors related to buildings, cold storages and cold chain infrastructure, automobiles, commercial refrigeration, domestic appliances etc.
About Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change(MoEFCC):
Founded- 1985.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Union Minister- Shri Prakash Javadekar.
Minister of State(MoS)- Babul Suprio.
