Whirlpool, Honeywell Introduce Better Insulation Into U.S.-Made Refrigerators

BENTON HARBOR -- Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE: WHR) and Honeywell (NYSE: HON) have announced that all Whirlpool U.S.-made refrigerators will begin incorporating Honeywell's Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent.

This includes future product lineups from Whirlpool Brand, Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air and KitchenAid brands.

The most environmentally responsible blowing agent available, boasting the lowest Global Warming Potential available among non-ozone depleting substitutes, Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent outperforms commonly used hydrocarbons such as C-Pentane, providing better low-temperature insulation performance and higher energy savings.

Whirlpool is the first refrigerator manufacturer in the U.S. committed to incorporating this new class of blowing agents into its products, providing customers with refrigerators that offer the best efficiency and lowest environmental footprint.

Honeywell Solstice LBA offers an 8-10 percent improvement in efficiency over refrigerator platforms tested with hydrocarbon blown foam insulation, and a 2 percent improvement over 245fa, currently the most widely-used foam blowing agent in the U.S.

"Whirlpool Corporation is an environmental leader, developing high-quality products that offer both efficiency and low environmental impact," said Ludovic Beaufils, general manager refrigeration and sustainability lead for Whirlpool North America.  "Through this collaboration with Honeywell, we are once again leading the way with the most advanced materials that offer the greatest benefits to consumers."

Honeywell Solstice Liquid Blowing Agent, which was recently granted approval under the Significant New Alternatives Policy, has a 100-year global warming potential between 4.7 and 7, a 99 percent improvement over 245fa, the most commonly used insulation currently. A near drop-in replacement, it also offers cost benefits and is non-flammable providing safety advantages over other hydrocarbon blowing agents.

Whirlpool will begin production in late 2013.

More at www.whirlpoolcorp.com or www.honeywellnow.com.