The automotive air conditioning industry is going through a key transition: the departure of R-134a drives the adoption of new, more efficient, sustainable and viable refrigerants for the aftermarket.
By Chuck Abbott, Global Marketing Manager at Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials.
Automotive air conditioning is in the midst of a major change. While R-134a has been the go-to refrigerant for some time, it is currently being phased out under the European Union's F-Gas regulations due to its high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
As availability decreases and costs rise—driving the increase in illegal imports—shop technicians need practical and reliable alternatives that keep vehicles compliant and operational, helping to avoid costly mistakes.
At Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, we have developed a new generation of refrigerants, Klea® 456A and Klea® Edge 444A, as direct replacements. They are designed to provide industry professionals with practical tools that allow them to stay ahead of changes, in a complex context marked by the illegal trade in refrigerants, fluctuating prices and increasingly stringent regulations.
By adopting these alternatives, workshops and garages can extend the life of existing R-134a systems, more effectively service R-1234yf vehicles, and offer customers solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally compatible. Not only do these benefits help shops manage day-to-day operations, but they also position them to adapt more easily as the industry continues to evolve under stricter emissions targets.
Here's what technicians need to know about these refrigerants and how best practices will evolve as these products come into widespread use.
Klea 456A as an alternative to® R-134a
We developed Klea® 456A refrigerant as a direct replacement for R-134a, offering the aftermarket a practical option as the phasing out of high GWP refrigerants continues across Europe. We wanted to ensure that shops could continue to service older vehicles with R-134a systems without relying on an increasingly scarce and regulated refrigerant.
The blend, which combines R-1234ze, R-134a and R-32, offers a global warming potential approximately 52% lower than R-134a—from 1430 to 684—while maintaining similar or even higher performance, making it a more sustainable option.
In addition to significantly reducing emissions, it also decreases the formation of long-lived byproducts such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), which will be critical as pressure increases to reduce the amount of "forever chemicals" (or PFAS).
One of the main benefits of Klea 456A is that technicians working in the aftermarket can continue to® use the same tools, service equipment, and lubricants they already use in R-134a systems. Introducing other low-GWP solutions, such as R-1234yf, into a system designed for R-134a reduces efficiency and can lead to safety risks if not handled properly. R-456A is classified as A1 (non-flammable), as is R-134a, ensuring that service professionals do not need to adapt to new flammability precautions and reducing the risk of improper substitutions.
This also minimizes the need to invest in new equipment for the workshop and simplifies the transition for garages. Since Klea® 456A contains R-134a, mixing with the old coolant will not damage the system. However, the best practice is to completely replace the refrigerant and relabel the system.
Crucially for the aftermarket, Klea® 456A is now available through leading distributors in the UK and European Union, giving workshops immediate access to a regulatory-compliant, high-performance and environmentally friendly alternative to R-134a.
Klea® Edge 444A as an alternative to R-1234yf
Currently, the R-1234yf is widely used as a replacement for the R-134a and was selected for most new vehicles. However, Klea® Edge is an ideal alternative.
Offering regulatory compliance, improved performance results and advancements in sustainability, it is not only useful for the aftermarket, but is also being evaluated for use in new electric vehicles.
In tests, the Klea Edge 444A has been shown to® cool the cabin up to four minutes faster than the R-1234yf, as well as offering 5% greater energy efficiency. This increase in performance provides faster and more efficient thermal control, something that will become increasingly important as countries deal with the impact of rising temperatures.
From an environmental perspective, Klea® Edge 444A also addresses growing concerns about byproducts. While its GWP is slightly higher than that of R-1234yf, it is still below the regulatory threshold of 150 and produces only trace amounts of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) during its decomposition, in stark contrast to R-1234yf, which generates much larger volumes.
Designed as a mix of R-32, R-152a and R-1234ze, it is fully compatible with existing R-1234yf systems and offers a lower carbon footprint solution from the perspective of the vehicle as a whole.
For technicians, Klea® Edge 444A avoids the polymerization issues seen with some refrigerants, which can clog service equipment and shorten system life. The result is greater peace of mind, long-term economic benefits, reduced maintenance risks and a refrigerant that is as practical as it is sustainable.
Best Practices for Adopting Klea® 456A and Klea® Edge 444A
The transition to more environmentally friendly refrigerants involves much more than simply replacing one gas with another.
For technicians working in the aftermarket, it means staying informed and up-to-date on best practices to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant service.
Both Klea® 456A and Klea® Edge 444A share the same flammability ratings as the refrigerants they are designed to replace, helping to reduce complexity in daily shop operations.
Proper system labeling is another crucial step when making adaptations. Clearly marking a system with the correct refrigerant information ensures accurate service records, avoids confusion in future maintenance, and keeps shops in compliance with regulations. Recovery and recycling procedures must also be carefully followed, as with any refrigerant, to maintain safety and environmental standards.
Oil compatibility matches the lubricants used in R-134a and R-1234yf, simplifying service. However, technicians should continue to consult the manufacturer's guidelines to confirm the latest recommendations before performing any work. Keeping up with these details will be key to a smooth transition as new refrigerants become more widely adopted.
The real challenge now lies in ensuring that relevant professionals receive the training and technical support they need. Therefore, to support customers in the transition to these refrigerants, we work together with Nissens to offer training sessions throughout Europe focused on the installation and adaptation of air conditioning systems. During these sessions, specialized professionals provide comprehensive training and live demonstrations on the entire process of converting a vehicle to one of our refrigerants.
With the right training and adoption of next-generation refrigerants, shops can ensure regulatory compliance, protect the environment, and continue to offer reliable service as the automotive industry enters a new era of refrigeration.
