Core Points - The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has announced a ban on the production of two categories of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) starting from January 1, 2026, specifically targeting household refrigerators and freezers using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerants and polyurethane products using HCFC-141b as a foaming agent [1][2] - The ban is part of China's commitment to the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment, aiming to phase out HFCs and protect the ozone layer [1][2] Industry Impact - The polyurethane foam industry is a major consumer of HCFCs, with most sub-sectors having adopted alternative technologies, although some sectors like board and spraying still use HCFC-141b [1] - The household appliance industry, particularly in refrigerators and freezers, predominantly uses low-carbon and environmentally friendly isobutane as a refrigerant, with a penetration rate exceeding 90%, while only a small portion of export products still utilize HFCs [1][2] Technological and Economic Aspects - Isobutane has been successfully applied as a refrigerant for many years, with mature technology and a well-established industrial chain, and it is more cost-effective than HFCs, providing significant overall benefits [2] - All sub-sectors of the polyurethane industry have developed mature alternative technologies, allowing companies to choose substitutes based on product requirements [2] Regulatory Measures - The Ministry of Ecology and Environment will enhance supervision and inspection, imposing penalties on companies that violate the regulations [2] - The ministry plans to promote the implementation of the ban through public awareness, training, and guidance to ensure industries meet the phasing-out deadlines [2]

Core Viewpoint - Anhui Province is making significant progress in managing ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and has secured funding for the third phase of its capacity-building project, marking a new stage in fulfilling the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer [1] Group 1: Project Development and Achievements - The third phase of the project will focus on implementing the ODS management regulations, promoting the use of ODS information management systems, enhancing supervision and law enforcement, and exploring long-term management mechanisms [1] - Since the initiation of ODS elimination capacity building in 2007, Anhui has participated in two previous phases, establishing a comprehensive compliance management mechanism at provincial, municipal, and county levels [1][2] - The first phase (2007-2012) saw the establishment of a leadership group for ODS elimination, the issuance of government notices, and the completion of national ODS elimination targets [2] Group 2: Policy and Regulatory Framework - During the second phase, Anhui improved its policy framework by issuing important notifications and establishing local regulations to support ODS management [3] - The province conducted over 500 training sessions, enhancing awareness and compliance among government officials and the public [3] Group 3: Enhanced Compliance and Monitoring - In 2025, Anhui was designated as a key province for the third phase of capacity building, with a focus on enhancing monitoring capabilities and addressing illegal ODS usage [4][5] - The number of registered enterprises for ODS management increased significantly by 1824% due to enhanced compliance awareness [5] Group 4: Future Focus Areas - Anhui plans to conduct comprehensive inspections of registered enterprises and improve data accuracy in the ODS management system [7] - The province aims to strengthen law enforcement against illegal ODS activities and enhance training for enforcement personnel [7] - Efforts will be made to promote alternative technologies in industries using ODS, encouraging green transitions [7][8] - Public awareness campaigns will be conducted to foster a collaborative environment for ODS compliance [8]

Core Viewpoint - The XPS foam industry is actively working towards eliminating HCFCs in compliance with national regulations, achieving significant results and contributing to environmental protection goals [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Compliance and Achievements - The industry has eliminated nearly 18,000 tons of HCFCs in accordance with policies and regulations [1]. - Since 2011, 46 companies have participated in the multilateral fund elimination project, achieving a total HCFCs consumption elimination of 17,922.264 tons [2]. - The industry is expected to comply with the national plan to ban the production and consumption of HCFCs starting January 1, 2026, with a complete phase-out of HCFCs as a foaming agent by July 1, 2026 [2]. Group 2: Regulatory Framework and Future Directions - The Ministry of Ecology and Environment emphasizes the importance of ozone layer protection and is enhancing regulatory frameworks and responsibilities at local levels [1]. - Companies are encouraged to operate legally and comply with national policies while understanding their responsibilities [1]. - The XPS industry is seeking expert discussions to address the impact of alternative foaming agents on thermal conductivity and to develop feasible solutions [2]. Group 3: Standardization Efforts - A seminar on the group standards for XPS backing boards was held, focusing on the organization, member roles, and responsibilities for drafting the standards [3]. - The standards will prioritize scientific validity, advanced applicability, and practical implementation to address real industry challenges [3].

Group 1 - The Chinese government has prioritized ozone layer protection since joining the Vienna Convention in 1989 and the Montreal Protocol in 1991, implementing the first national plan for phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in 1993 [1] - The recently released National Plan (2025-2030) aims to phase out HCFCs and is the first six-year plan for reducing both ODS and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), aligning with Xi Jinping's ecological civilization thoughts and promoting green, low-carbon development in related industries [1][2] - The National Plan mandates a ban on HCFCs in the extruded polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam industries starting July 1, 2026, with varying challenges in compliance due to the complexity of alternatives in the polyurethane sector [2] Group 2 - The National Plan enhances management of ODS production, sales, and usage, requiring sales units to only sell to entities with production or usage quotas, thereby improving the regulatory framework and monitoring capabilities [3] - The implementation of mobile monitoring equipment has significantly increased the ability to detect illegal production and use of ODS, contributing to the enforcement of the National Plan [3] - Foam enterprises are encouraged to comply with the National Plan, utilize the information management system, and report illegal activities to achieve the complete phase-out of HCFC-141b, thereby supporting ozone layer protection and sustainable industry development [3]

Core Points - China has eliminated approximately 628,000 tons of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), accounting for over half of the total elimination in developing countries [1][2] - The implementation of the "National Plan" aims to strengthen the management of ODS and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), promoting green and low-carbon development across various industries [1][2] Group 1: National Plan and Regulatory Framework - The "National Plan" outlines the control of nine substances, including chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and HFCs, with specific reduction targets set for 2025 and 2030 [2][3] - The plan mandates a 67.5% reduction in controlled uses of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 2025 and a 97.5% reduction by 2030 [3] - HFCs will see a 10% reduction in controlled uses by 2029 [3] Group 2: Industry Challenges and Opportunities - The fluorochemical industry is a significant part of China's emerging strategic industries, producing over 50% of global fluorochemical products [6] - The household appliance sector has adopted propane (R290) as an environmentally friendly alternative, with over 10 million R290 air conditioners produced by the end of 2024 [6] - The automotive industry is a major user of HFCs, with regulations set to ban high GWP refrigerants in new vehicle air conditioning systems starting July 1, 2029 [5][7] Group 3: Technological Development and Innovation - The refrigeration and air conditioning industry has seen substantial growth, with a total output value of 460 billion yuan in 2023, significantly larger than when the phase-out of CFCs began [10] - The foam industry faces challenges in finding suitable alternatives to HFCs, with various replacement technologies having different cost and safety implications [10][11] - The fire protection industry is also seeking new alternatives to HFC-based extinguishing agents, emphasizing the need for innovation and collaboration between academia and industry [11]