Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Honeywell on October 23 announced that S.K.M Air Conditioning is launching the Middle East’s first line of chillers equipped with Honeywell’s Solstice ze (R-1234ze) refrigerant in the Middle East. The product will be showcased at The Big 5 show in the UAE, from November 26 to 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

According to a 2015 report from PwC, energy usage in the UAE has grown at an annual average of four per cent over the past six years, with projections that it will increase to five per cent through 2020. In addition, cuts to energy subsidies have made energy efficiency one of the top priorities for the region. Adoption of Solstice ze – which is based on low-global-warming-potential (LGWP) hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) technology – could reduce energy consumption.

“Adoption of Solstice ze for our new chiller line not only helps us improve energy efficiency, but also meet environmental targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Nabil Abouseido, Marketing & Business Development Director, SKM. “We are excited to be the first HVAC manufacturer to offer chillers equipped with Solstice ze in the Middle East. Adoption of this technology helps support regional goals to become greener and more energy efficient.”

Amir Naqvi, Regional Marketing Leader, Honeywell Fluorine Products, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, said, “Honeywell remains committed to supplying next-generation, environmentally preferable HFO alternatives to support the regional Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) industries on accelerating the transition from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other high-GWP materials.” The GCC region countries are key signatories of the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which is focused on phasing down the use of high-global-warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Solstice ze, Honeywell said, is non-ozone-depleting, with a GWP of less than one. It complies with the latest regulations designed to reduce the global warming impacts of fluorinated refrigerants and other materials.