Ministry of Ecology and Environment Issues "Announcement on Prohibiting the Production of Polyurethane Products Using HCFC-141b as a Foaming Agent

Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued the "Announcement on Prohibiting the Production of Polyurethane Products Using 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) as a Foaming Agent." The full text is as follows:

To fulfill the obligations of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol), in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations on the Management of Ozone Depleting Substances and the requirements of the Management Plan for Phasing Out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons in China's Polyurethane Foam Industry, the use of 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) will be completely prohibited in the polyurethane foam industry. To achieve the objectives set by the Protocol, phase out ozone-depleting substances, promote the industry's shift towards low-carbon and environmentally friendly technologies, and facilitate industrial transformation and upgrading, the relevant matters are announced as follows:

I. Effective January 1, 2026, the production of combined polyethers and polyurethane products using HCFC-141b as a foaming agent is prohibited (excluding spray-applied polyurethane foam products). The production of refrigerator-freezer products, refrigerated container products, and electric water heater products shall comply with the provisions of the "Announcement on Prohibiting the Production of Refrigerator-Freezer Products, Refrigerated Container Products, and Electric Water Heater Products Using HCFC-141b as a Foaming Agent" (MEE Announcement 2018, No. 49). The production of insulated pipe products and solar water heater products shall comply with the provisions of the "Announcement on Prohibiting the Production of Insulated Pipe Products and Solar Water Heater Products Using 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) as a Foaming Agent" (MEE Announcement 2023, No. 28).

II.Effective July 1, 2026, the production of spray-applied polyurethane foam products using HCFC-141b as a foaming agent is prohibited.

III.The pray-applied polyurethane foam products referred to in this Announcement are polyurethane foam materials applied on-site for thermal insulation and waterproofing functions, including those specified in the standards listed in the attachment.

IV.Ecological and environmental authorities at all levels shall supervise enterprises in strictly implementing the above regulations and effectively carrying out the phase-out of HCFC-141b in the polyurethane foam industry. Enterprises violating the above regulations by using HCFC-141b shall be penalized by the ecological and environmental authorities in conjunction with relevant departments according to the law.