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This report covers the four chlorinated methanes—methyl chloride, methylene chloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride (CTC). These chlorinated methanes are chiefly used as precursors—methyl chloride for silicones and other materials, methylene chloride for its solvent properties, chloroform for hydrochlorofluorocarbon-22 (HCFC-22) and CTC for chlorofluorocarbons-11 and -12 (CFC-11 and CFC-12).
Most of the growth forecast for chlorinated methanes is in Asian countries (China in particular), while demand will decline in developed countries due to Montreal Protocol legislation on fluorocarbons. Other than in Asia, which will continue to see growth in HCFC-22 production past 2010, a major transition to HFC-32 (using methylene chloride) and HFC-245fa and HFC-365mfc (using carbon tetrachloride) will occur globally in developed countries.
The following pie charts show world consumption of these four chlorinated methanes.
Worldwide, government regulations in developed countries have had a significant impact on the demand and use of chlorinated solvents in the past quarter century. Chlorinated methanes have been somewhat less affected than other types of chlorinated products (e.g., chlorinated ethanes), since they are used to a large extent as intermediates. Except for methylene chloride, workers and the general public are usually not exposed to chlorinated methanes.
In September 2007, Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer agreed to speed up the phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HCFCs were meant to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), but have been identified as a greenhouse gas (GHG). The accelerated phaseout requires developed nations to phase out HCFC by 2020, from 2040 in the original treaty. The new agreement freezes production of HCFCs at 2013 levels. In addition, developed countries have agreed to reduce production and consumption by 75% by 2010 and 90% by 2015, with the final phaseout in 2020. Developing countries have agreed to cut production and consumption by 10% in 2015, by 35% by 2020, and 67.5% by 2025, with final phaseout in 2030. A small amount, 2.5%, will be allowed in developing countries during the 2030–2040 period for “servicing” purposes.
By 2010, HCFC-22 (R-22) producers will have to comply with the U.S. EPA’s HCFC consumption and production limits of the Montreal Protocol. The question is whether consumers will switch to the more expensive HFC blend–based equipment unless absolutely forced to. There currently is no ban on selling R-22-based AC/refrigerant equipment. Only equipment manufactured after 2010 cannot be filled with virgin R-22. If AC/refrigerant producers stockpile equipment, they can continue to purchase R-22 for the first fill, which may drive demand forward, within EPA limits, for virgin R-22 or for reclaimed R-22 (of which there is very little today). The greatest share of consumption is the service demand for existing equipment.
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