Core Points - The new regulation aims to fulfill the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol, targeting the elimination of HCFC-141b as a blowing agent in polyurethane products by January 1, 2026 [1][2] - The polyurethane foam industry is a major consumer of ozone-depleting substances, specifically HCFCs, with HCFC-141b being the most significant due to its high ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0.11 [2] - China has already achieved the first and second phase elimination targets, freezing HCFC-141b consumption in the polyurethane foam industry at baseline levels in 2013 and reducing it by 80% by 2023 [2] Industry Overview - The polyurethane foam industry includes various sectors such as refrigerated containers, refrigerators, electric water heaters, insulation pipes, solar water heaters, and more [1][2] - The majority of companies in the board production sector are small to medium-sized enterprises, with around 250 companies primarily located in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Henan [3] - Since 2011, multilateral fund grants have supported 21 board production companies in replacing HCFC-141b, resulting in the elimination of approximately 3,644 tons, which is 29.2% of the total HCFC-141b that needs to be phased out in this sector [3] Progress and Remaining Challenges - Additional estimates suggest that companies have transitioned or utilized their own funds to eliminate around 8,750 tons of HCFC-141b, leaving less than 50 tons remaining to be phased out in the board sector, which is less than 0.4% of the total [4] - The spray foam sector also consists mainly of small to medium-sized enterprises, with about 300 companies located in Shandong, Jiangsu, Beijing, and Hebei [4] - Since 2011, grants have supported four spray foam companies in eliminating approximately 226 tons of HCFC-141b, accounting for 2.5% of the total required elimination in this sector [4] Alternatives and Future Plans - There are various mature alternatives to HCFC-141b available in the polyurethane foam industry, including hydrocarbons, water, hydrofluorocarbons, and fluorinated olefins, which have been successfully applied for years [5] - The cost of hydrocarbons and water-based blowing agents is relatively low, while hydrofluorocarbons and fluorinated olefins are more expensive [5] - In 2025, multilateral fund grants will support 15 combination ether companies in technical upgrades to eliminate HCFC-141b and promote alternative products in the relevant sectors [5]

Core Insights - The "2025 China Automotive Thermal Systems Academic Annual Conference" held in Chongqing is the largest industry event to date, with an exhibition area exceeding 12,000 square meters, focusing on innovative technologies such as energy conservation, environmental protection, cost control, vehicle safety, refrigerant selection, testing standards, and AI technology [1] Group 1: Event Overview - The conference was co-hosted by the China Automotive Industry Association, China Society of Automotive Engineers, and China Refrigeration Society, with various subcommittees involved in its organization [1] - The event featured a main venue and three sub-venues, discussing seven key topics including propane (R290) thermal management systems, carbon dioxide (CO2) efficient heat pump systems, mixed refrigerant adaptability research, secondary loop key technologies, intelligent algorithms for thermal management systems, air quality control in smart cabins, and chip and domain control technologies for thermal management systems [2] Group 2: Regulatory and Environmental Context - Since joining the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1991, China has eliminated approximately 628,000 tons of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), accounting for over half of the total elimination in developing countries, receiving widespread international acclaim [1] - The country is committed to phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2040 and reducing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) based on baseline values by 2045, with a series of measures implemented to support these goals [1]