China to Ban Use of HCFC-141b in Polyurethane Foam Production from July 1, 2026 – Global Implications for the Polyurethane Industry

Date of policy milestone: July 1, 2026

Authority: Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China (MEE)

1. Overview of the policy

China has announced that from July 1, 2026, the polyurethane foam industry will be prohibited from producing products using HCFC-141b as a blowing agent.This move is part of China’s obligations under:

• the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

• the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

• the national plan to phase down HCFCs and subsequently HFCs

In parallel, extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam production using HCFCs as blowing agents will also be banned starting on the same date.

2. Why HCFC-141b is being banned

HCFC-141b (1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane):

• has high Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)

• contributes to global warming

• has long atmospheric lifetime

• is widely used in:

  • rigid polyurethane insulation foam

  • spray foams

  • appliance foams

  • panel and pipe insulation

The ban is aligned with the global effort to:

• eliminate ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances)

• transition toward low-GWP and zero-ODP alternatives

• support the Kigali Amendment control of HFCs in the cooling and thermal insulation sectors

China, as the world’s largest producer and consumer of polyurethane materials, plays a decisive role in global implementation.

3. Scope of affected industries

The ban directly impacts:

• polyurethane rigid foam systems

• spray polyurethane foam (SPF)

• appliance insulation foams (refrigerators, freezers)

• building insulation boards and panels

• pipe and tank insulation

• cold chain logistics insulation materials

Indirectly impacted stakeholders include:

• system houses

• polyether polyol producers

• MDI suppliers

• formulators

• foam equipment manufacturers

• construction and insulation contractors

• downstream OEMs in appliances, construction, automotive, cold chain

4. What will replace HCFC-141b?

Global practice indicates several main technical routes:

4.1 Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs)

• Example: HFO-1233zd(E), HFO-1336mzz(Z)

• Advantages:

  • ultra-low GWP

  • zero ODP

  • excellent insulation performance

• Challenges:

  • significantly higher cost

  • IP licensing and supply availability

4.2 Cyclopentane and cyclo-/iso-pentane blends

• Widely used in appliances and panels

• Advantages:

  • cost-effective

  • mature technology

• Challenges:

  • flammability, requiring explosion-proof facilities

  • higher investment in plant safety systems

4.3 Water-blown systems (CO₂ chemical foaming)

• Advantages:

  • simple, cost-effective

  • zero ODP

• Challenges:

  • lower insulation performance

  • higher foam density

  • dimensional stability concerns in certain applications

4.4 Blended systems and hybrid technologies

• Combination of:

  • HFO + hydrocarbons

  • water + HFO

• Often used to balance cost vs. performance

5. Implications for the global market

5.1 For China

• acceleration of plant upgrading investments

• elimination of outdated capacity

• stronger environmental governance

• pressure on small system houses and on-site spray foam operators

• restructuring of the blowing agent supply chain

5.2 For global suppliers

• opportunities for:

  • HFO producers

  • pentane system integrators

  • safety equipment vendors

  • foam machine manufacturers

• rising demand for:

  • low-GWP blowing agents

  • compliant polyurethane systems

5.3 For multinational downstream users

• alignment of supply chains:

  • appliances

  • building insulation

  • cold chain

• easier harmonization with EU F-gas / U.S. AIM Act requirements

China’s move effectively:accelerates global convergence of environmental standards in polyurethane foam applications.

6. Compliance timeline and recommended actions

By 2025–early 2026

• audit blowing-agent usage

• identify HCFC-141b dependence

• initiate pilot trials with alternatives

Before July 1, 2026

• complete transition to compliant formulations

• update process safety systems if switching to hydrocarbons

• update SDS, labels, procurement contracts

• train applicators (especially SPF construction workers)

After July 1, 2026

• expect:

  • stricter on-site checks

  • “dual-random, public-disclosure” inspections

  • penalties for non-compliance

7. What global readers should pay attention to

• China sets price and volume signals in global MDI, polyols and foam systems

• ban may:

  • accelerate cost increase for compliant blowing agents

  • reshuffle competitiveness in insulation materials

  • stimulate innovation in next-gen low-GWP foams

• investment and technology cooperation opportunities will expand in:

  • HFO manufacturing capacity

  • hydrocarbon foaming safety retrofits

  • thermal insulation materials for net-zero buildings and cold chain

8. Conclusion

China’s ban on HCFC-141b in polyurethane foam production from July 1, 2026 represents:

• a major milestone in global ODS phase-out history

• a structural turning point for the polyurethane foam industry

• a catalyst for low-carbon and high-performance insulation materials

For enterprises worldwide, this is not just a compliance requirement —it is a strategic transition toward the next generation of sustainable polyurethane technologies.