July 2022
DuPont de Nemours Inc. (“DuPont”) supports the ratification of the Kigali Amendment, and is committed to following the requirements outlined in the Amendment.
Background on the Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is one of the seminal international agreements designed to protect the environment. Signed in August 1987 and enforced starting in January 1989, the Montreal Protocol focused on targeting compounds that were linked to ozone depletion. Since then, it has been updated eight times — in 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1998 (Australia), 1999 (Beijing) and 2016 (Kigali). Many of the amendments and adjustments served to expand the scope of compounds regulated by the Montreal Protocol, or provide more restrictive timetables on the production phase out of these substances, particularly as viable alternatives were introduced.
DuPont Actions since the Montreal Protocol
DuPont has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to develop solutions that address global sustainability challenges without compromising product quality or regional supply and deliver essential and environmentally safe innovations to help societies thrive.
For example, DuPont has placed significant investment in its DuPont Styrofoam™ Brand XPS Insulation HFC Phase-Down program and its Froth-Pak™ Insulation and Sealant HFC Phase-Out program. This investment allows these two product lines to remain compliant with the regulatory landscape, including various state adoptions of the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program in the United States, the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020 and Canadian Environmental Protection Act in Canada. Further delivering on the company’s mission of protecting and empowering people and the planet, DuPont is committed to creating long-term value for customers, as set forth in our 2030 Sustainability Goals and our position on climate change.
Use of Processing Aids, as Approved Under the Montreal Protocol
While DuPont has expended considerable effort and made extensive progress in phasing out its uses of CFCs, the Montreal Protocol allows for the ongoing use of CFCs as processing aids in manufacturing processes that have no suitable substitutes to date. Today, DuPont’s use of CFCs is limited to its presence as an approved processing aid to make one of our products. We plan to use our remaining CFC inventory and reclaimed material until the supply is consumed. Our continuing efforts have led to dramatic engineering improvements in containment as demonstrated by our 99.9% recovery rate of this CFC processing aid. While products manufactured with this process are exempt from EPA labeling requirements, DuPont adheres to all EPA reporting requirements related to use of CFCs as a processing aid and emissions from the process.