New Fluorinated Solvents Losing Ozone and Industrial Crossroads (1990s)

New Fluorinated Solvents Losing Ozone and Industrial Crossroads (1990s)

The 1990s was a turning point when the world began to confront the problem of ozone layer depletion caused by CFCs. Conventional CFCs and HCFCs had been indispensable for cleaning precision equipment, but the Montreal Protocol led to their phased elimination, and the Japanese electronics industry urgently needed to secure alternative solvents. Under these circumstances, ZEON developed a new fluorinated solvent that has environmental characteristics such as zero ozone depletion potential, a short lifetime in the atmosphere, and a small contribution to the greenhouse effect.

The fact that the environmental impact was greatly reduced while maintaining a cleaning power and nonflammability close to that of conventional CFCs met the needs of industry, and its characteristics of not damaging metal and resin parts made it possible to use it in the electronic parts and optical cleaning processes. Technical documents from the 1990s show a design concept that aimed for a smooth transition from conventional CFCs.

Internationally, various alternatives including HFCs and HFEs were considered, and comprehensive evaluation including global warming potential and atmospheric lifetime in addition to ozone depletion potential came to be emphasized. ZEON's technology was positioned at the center of this trend, symbolizing the attitude of Japanese companies at the time, which viewed environmental regulations as a turning point for technological competitiveness.

These new solvents were an outcome of the shift in consciousness of the chemical industry in the 1990s as it sought to balance the environment and industry, and paved the way for sustainable technology.