Honeywell
Honeywell 1234yf 61c223e84799f

China Court Upholds Honeywell's Patent for HFO-1234yf

Dec. 21, 2021
The Court dismissed Arkema's appeal against Honeywell's related patents related to HFO-1234yf in automotive air conditioning systems. Honeywell and Chemours issued statements.

On November 26, 2021, The People's Court of China upheld the original ruling of the Beijing Intellectual Property Court and the previous decision of the State Intellectual Property Office of China, in maintaining the validity of Honeywell's patent for the refrigerant HFO-1234YF. Refrigerant manufacturer Arkema had challenged the validity of Honeywell's patent to the refrigerant.

Honeywell, in a written statement, said the judgement, "goes a long way toward protecting Honeywell and its authorized HFO-1234yf suppliers and dealers used in china and other countries for automotive air conditioning systems, and prevents Arkema and other unauthorized producers from engaging in unauthorized business activities. In addition, the import of HFO-1234yf from China to any other country in which Honeywell owns the relevant patent would constitute infringement. Honeywell is committed to taking all necessary legal action to protect the company's investments in developing innovative products that reduce the impact of global warming."

Representatives for Chemours -- which uses R-1234yf in refrigerant blends -- issued the following statement in support of the decision.  

"The Chemours Company applauds the recent decision by the Supreme People’s Court of the Republic of China to uphold Honeywell’s patent (No. 201210530088.9) which covers the use of HFO-1234yf in automotive air conditioning systems. 

"This decision and the dismissal of Arkema’s challenge to the claims represents a major victory for Chemours and Honeywell to ensure that our customers in the mobile air conditioning market have a source for safe and reliable refrigerants that meet the highest quality standards and work to advance global sustainability initiatives. Chemours and Honeywell have invested billions of dollars to develop and manufacture 1234yf, and we remain committed to defending our position as authorized manufacturers and suppliers of the refrigerant.

"Chemours operates one of the world’s largest HFO-1234yf production facilities, and will continue to make the investments necessary to meet market demand, while upholding the integrity of production, distribution, and use as well as protecting the best interests of our customers and our planet."