The Chemours Company has launched Opteon ZE (R-1234ze(E) and Opteon 515B (R-515B) for stationary chiller applications.
The products further expand the industry-leading Opteon portfolio and provide customers with additional low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant options for large-scale cooling applications, including rapidly growing AI and data centre infrastructure.
Chemours thermal & specialised solutions president, Joseph Martinko, said AI is reshaping the demands placed on cooling infrastructure, and customers need solutions that can keep pace without compromising efficiency, reliability, or long-term regulatory readiness.
“With Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B, Chemours is expanding the choices available to chiller OEMs and operators as they build and maintain the critical systems powering data centres, commercial buildings, and other mission critical environments, while further strengthening our position in attractive, high-growth cooling applications,” Martinko said.
As demand for artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital infrastructure continues to grow, data center operators face increasing cooling requirements, higher heat loads, strict uptime requirements, and the need for solutions that can scale with future growth.
Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B are low-GWP refrigerants designed to help address these challenges with efficient heat removal, reliable performance, and scalability, while supporting decarbonization and climate goals.
The products also support Chemours' continued focus on higher-value applications, including data centre infrastructure, where long-term demand trends are driving increased investment in cooling solutions.
Opteon ZE (R-1234ze(E)is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) based refrigerant engineered to deliver exceptional performance, characterised by an ultra-low GWP of approximately 1 (AR5), and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). It has an ASHRAE A2L classification (mildly flammable). It is well suited for air- and water-cooled chillers, commercial air conditioning, heat pumps, and data center cooling applications. Opteon ZE offers high energy efficiency and compatibility with commonly used polyolester oil (POE) lubricants.
Opteon 515B (R-515B) is a zero ODP refrigerant blend consisting of approximately 91.1% R-1234ze(E) and 8.9% R-227ea. Featuring a GWP of approximately 293 (AR4) and an ASHRAE A1 classification (no flame propagation). For conventional chiller applications, Opteon 515B offers a balance of lower GWP, performance, and ease of adoption for customers transitioning from higher-GWP refrigerants.
Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B are available now in strategic countries, with additional market availability expected to follow aligned with market demand.