Reuters: Regulatory News: Honeywell assails Daimler in car coolant controversy -paper

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Honeywell assails Daimler in car coolant controversy -paper Jul 21st 2013, 17:48 FRANKFURT, July 21 | Sun Jul 21, 2013 1:48pm EDT FRANKFURT, July 21 (Reuters) - Honeywell International Inc has dismissed safety concerns expressed by Daimler that have led to the carmaker's refusal to use its coolant, in a case that is pitting Daimler against EU governments and threatening its sales. Daimler has refused to use the coolant R1234yf, made by Honeywell and Dupont, on the grounds it can emit toxic hydrogen fluoride gas when it burns. Instead, the carmaker is continuing to use an older refrigerant called R134a, a potent global warming agent that was banned throughout the European Union from the start of this year. "The tests that Daimler did were static and don't reflect the course of a real accident," Honeywell European government affairs manager Tim Vink told Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper. Daimler's refusal to stop using R134a prompted France to halt registrations of Mercedes A-Class, B-Class and SL cars assembled after June, while EU governments agreed on July 17 steps should be taken to bring all vehicles within the rules. Honeywell has said there is no significant risk from its coolant and that it is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. "We are asking ourselves why Daimler doesn't try to constructively resolve the problem instead of going it alone in refusing to use R1234yf," Vink told Handelsblatt, which released its story in advance of publication in Monday's paper. Honeywell said slight changes to the air conditioning system could be made to allow the gas to escape quickly in the event of an emergency, and that could resolve Daimler's concerns. "It would cause only minimal costs per year, other manufacturers who have already taken that step tell us," Vink said. While R1234yf is more expensive than 134a, which has been in use for 25 years, it is better for the environment, he said. "For us this is a purely Daimler phenomenon," Vink said. Daimler decided not to use R1234yf after Germany said it would allow it to continue using R134a. The European Commission has given the German government until Aug. 20 to explain its decision - the first step before possible EU infringement proceedings. Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints

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