Supplies tight for CFC-11 and -12
With US 1992 production of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-11 and -12 cut back to less than 50% of 1986 levels, supplies are tight and prices are rising. While CFC customers can find the product, the first half of the year was particularly bumpy, marked by shortages of key feedstock carbon tetrachloride. US carbon tet production dropped from 400 million lbs in 1991 to 250 million lbs because of a series of plant closings in 1991. The lack of carbon tet, says a spokesman for one CFC producer, was [open quotes]a real disruption.[close quotes] And, says Jerry Dziedzic, general manager, fluorochemicals at Elf Atochem (Philadelphia), in a such a tight market [open quotes]even a little hiccup can throw the system out of whack.[close quotes] Dow senior project manager Jeff Sullivan says CFC producers were expecting a drop in 1992 sales when the company's Sarnia, ON carbon tet plant closing was announced. By the time CFC producers recognized that demand would remain at 1991 levels, the shutdown was under way. [open quotes]We were caught short because they were caught short.[close quotes] While the carbon tet shortage has lessened recently, supplies of CFC-11 and 12 are expected to remain tight through the rest of the year. But that could ease toward year-end as hydrofluorocarbon-141b increasingly replaces CFC-11.
- OSTI ID:
- 5588192
- Journal Information:
- Chemical Week; (United States), Vol. 151:12; ISSN 0009-272X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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