Ambiguity over HFC phase out clouds acidspar demand picture

• Autores: Shruti Salwan
• Localización: Industrial Minerals, ISSN 0019-8544, Nº. 578, 2015 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Diciembre)
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) remains a priority for many countries, however factors such as government policy, available financing for transition to alternatives and differences between end use provisions are creating uncertainties over the impact this will have on demand for acid grade fluorspar (acidspar).

    Tightening restrictions by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the consumption of HFCs - with measures aiming to cut the equivalent of more than 1bn tonnes carbon dioxide (CO[subscript]2 ) by 2025 - a decline in HF consumption rates looks probable. It is especially likely, given that a number of major US fluorochemical producers have already taken steps towards phase out.

    IHS' Will told IM that although HFC phase outs will have an impact on future demand for HF acid, decelerating growth in China has had an immediate impact on the market, thanks to the decline in the country's aluminium and steel industries, which are major fluorine-consuming markets.