Solstice® Gas Blowing Agent

Solstice GBA Conversion Manual


A Low GWP Blowing Agent for Extruded Polystyrene, PU, and PIR Foam

Solstice Gas Blowing Agent (GBA) is an ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) replacement for HFC-134a, HFC-152a, HCFC-142b, HCFC-22 and other blowing agents in foam applications. Examples include extruded polystyrene plank, polyisocyanurate, pressurized polyurethane foams (one-component and two-component), and froth foams.

Based on hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) technology, Solstice GBA offers:

  • Properties similar to HFC-134a and HFC-152a
  • Nonflammable (ASTM E-681, EU A11)
  • Ultra-low GWP < 1
  • Non-ozone-depleting
  • Listed under the U.S. EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program to replace ozone-depleting substances
  • Not listed in Annex 1 of F-Gas regulation
  • VOC-exempt (U.S. EPA)
  • Listed on the TSCA inventory/registered under REACH
  • U.S.-based manufacturing
  • Foam Performance
  • Physical Properties
  • Lower Conversion Costs
  • Environmental
  • Nonflammable
  • Product Comparison

The Preferred Choice

Solstice GBA is an ultra-low GWP replacement for HFC-134a, HFC-152a, HCFC-142b, and HCFC-22 in foam applications such as:

  • Polyurethane (PU), polyisocyanurate (PIR) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) plank
  • Pressurized PU foams (one-component and two-component applications), and froth foams.

Foam using Solstice GBA demonstrates:

  • Good thermal and mechanical performance
  • Lambda: 20-25% improvement vs. CO2 and similar to HCFC-142b and HFC-134a
  • Capability to extrude thick foam without capital investment
  • Capability to extrude low density foam
  • Compressive strength similar to HFC-134a
  • Dimensional stability similar to HFC-134a

The table shows Solstice GBA properties compared to HCFC-22, HCFC-142b, and HFC-134a. Solstice GBA exhibits certain key physical properties similar to HFC-134a and HFC-152a. This blowing agent’s GWP of less than 1 is more than 99.9% lower than the HFCs it replaces, and even lower than C02.

Solstice Gas Blowing Agent requires minimal equipment changes and system optimization during transition from other foam blowing agents, thereby saving capital costs and lost production time.

Absolute cost effectiveness will depend on current energy efficiency standards and local regulations concerning the phaseout of high global warming potential materials.

Switching to Honeywell Solstice GBA now will streamline your transition and avoid an interim step – another opportunity to save capital.

Honeywell’s fourth generation Solstice GBA was formulated to have a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP<1) and improved energy efficiency, while retaining nonflammability and ease of conversion.

Honeywell Solstice GBA is a replacement for HFC-134a, CO2, HFC-152a, and other fluorocarbon and non-fluorocarbon foam blowing agents. Solstice GBA an excellent choice for high performance rigid foam, insulation applications, such as XPS plank, pressurized one and two-component polyurethane foam, and other applications. It is an alternative to flammable foam blowing agents, such as cyclopentane, that require flammability risk mitigation measures.

The use of Solstice GBA does not require flammability risk mitigation. Flammable foam blowing agents, such as cyclopentane, require flammability risk mitigation, which can add significant capital costs.

Solstice GBA is classified as a nonflammable liquefied gas by the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), United States Department of Transportation (DOT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), and International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) codes and regulations. Solstice GBA is designated as a Class 2 (non-flammable) Liquefied Gas per US DOT definition (49 CFR 173.115).

Another measure of flammability risk is minimum ignition energy (MIE). Solstice GBA exhibits a very high MIE, approximately 61,000 mJoules at a temperature of 54°C and a pressure of 1 atmosphere, which indicates that Solstice GBA is very difficult to ignite, even at this temperature. A summary of flammability characteristics for Solstice GBA can be found in the table. Contact us to learn more.