Refrigerant Gases

Offering a wide range of refrigerant products, including HFCs, HFOs and natural refrigerants, along with associated services

BOC is a leading supplier of refrigerant solutions and services. Our products span both traditional fluorocarbon and natural refrigerants making us a trusted partner to a vast range of industries around the world. They are vital for refrigeration, process chilling and heat extraction applications used in the food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, industrial manufacturing, chemical, and petrochemical industries. They also provide air conditioning in our transport, shops, offices and public buildings and homes.

Whatever your application, BOC can meet all your needs relating to the delivery, handling, and management of refrigerant gases.

HFOs
HFCs
Natural Refrigerants
CFCs
HCFCs
F Gas Regulation

HFOs

Refrigerant solutions with zero ODP and very low GWP

HFOs (hydrofluoroolefins) are the fourth generation of fluorine-based gases. HFC refrigerants are composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms connected by single bonds between the atoms. HFO refrigerants are composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms but contain at least one double bond between the carbon atoms.

The first HFO, jointly developed by DuPont and Honeywell, is HFO 1234yf which is sold under the brand names Opteon YF and SOLSTICE yf. This is a low GWP (Global Warming Potential) replacement for R134a in the automotive sector's mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems.

HFO refrigerants are categorised as having zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and low GWP and so offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs.

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HFCs

Gases for refrigerant, propellant and foam-blowing applications with zero ODP and medium to high GWP

HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) are the third generation of fluorine-based gases. These products are categorised as having zero ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) and medium to high GWP (Global Warming Potential) and so offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to CFCs and HCFCs.

HFCs are used in a wide range of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment specifically designed for them, and as "drop-in" retrofit gases for older CFC or HCFC equipment. HFCs are also used in selective propellant and foam-blowing applications.

BOC offers several lower GWP HFC solutions, such as using R407A or R442A instead of R404A. We also supply a wide range of HFC alternatives for new equipment purchases. These include HFO and natural refrigerants, providing a viable, lower GWP alternative to HFCs.

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Natural Refrigerants

Efficient refrigerant solutions that are kinder to the environment

Natural refrigerants are chemicals that occur in nature's bio-chemical processes. They do not deplete the ozone layer and make a negligible contribution to global warming or zero in the case of R717 (ammonia). The high efficiency of natural refrigerants also means that they make a lower indirect contribution to global warming.

These products were used as refrigerants prior to the 1950s when fluorocarbon refrigerants became commonplace. They are now being used more extensively due to their low environmental impact.

BOC has a wealth of experience and expertise in environmentally friendly refrigerants. We offer a wide selection of products to the refrigeration and air conditioning industry including R717 (ammonia); R744 (carbon dioxide); a wide range of hydrocarbon refrigerants, such as R600a (isobutane), and R290 (propane).

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CFCs

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), such as R11, R12, R113, R114 and R115, are categorised as having high ODP (Ozone Depleting Potential) and high GWP (Global Warming Potential). Consequently, the use of these products is subject to legislation. This includes a sales ban in Article 2 (developed) countries from 1996, and Article 5 (developing) countries from 2010, in accordance with the Montreal Protocol.

We support and adhere to all such legislation and can help you choose suitable replacement products, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and natural refrigerants, that have less impact on the environment whilst still providing effective chilling and cooling capacity.

HCFCs

HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are the second generation of fluorine-based gases, the original replacements for CFCs. These products, which include R22, R123, R401A, R401B, R402A, R402B, R408A, and R409A, are categorised as having medium ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and medium to high GWP (Global Warming Potential).

As HCFCs contribute both to ozone depletion and global warming, the use of HCFCs has been phased out as part of global legislation, such as the Montreal Protocol. In the EU, the use of virgin HCFCs was phased out in January 2010. The use of reclaimed or recycled HCFCs was phased out in January 2015.

We sell a wide range of HCFC retrofit products in a variety of packages, including cylinders, drum tanks, and bulk supplies. We also support the transition away from the use of ozone-depleting products and can offer advice on alternative products, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and natural refrigerants, which have a lower impact on the environment.

Responsible Supply Requirements for Purchase

Type of Customer	Certification required
Refrigerant Contractors and air conditioning contractors or Sole Traders	Company F Gas certificate from Refcom, Bureau Veritas or Quidos
Automotive customers – other vehicles	A letter of Assurance is required to be completed by the customer
Automotive customers – cars only	Email confirmation that the refrigerant gas is being used for cars only

On 1st January 2015, the F-Gas Regulation came into effect which affects all manufacturers, suppliers and users of fluorinated gases.

1. Stationary equipment (food factory, IT room etc)

What we require from our customers:

F - Gas company certificate: This applies to all refrigerant contractors and sole traders.

The acceptable UK F – Gas certificates are from Refcom, Bureau Veritas or Quidos. Refrigerant contractors or sole traders must be registered as a BOC customer. This is required at the point of first supply. Please forward your F – Gas certificate to specialproducts@boc.com

Please include your customer number, account name, and product of interest.

2. Automotive customers (vans, trucks etc)

What we require from our customers:

Letter of Assurance (LoA) – BOC requires a completed LoA from any customer who will be using our refrigerant gas on vans, trucks etc (if only cars – see Section 3).
Please request an LoA by emailing specialproducts@boc.com.

Please include your customer number, account name, and product of interest.

3. Automotive customers (cars only)

What we require from our customers:

Email confirmation that the refrigerant gas is being used for cars only from the customer. Please send email to specialproducts@boc.com.

Please include your customer number, account name, and product of interest.