Chemours Cools Data Centers for AI

Chemours introduced two new refrigerants, Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B, on August 10, specifically engineered for stationary chillers cooling data centers and commercial facilities that require continuous operation. These products aim to address the significant heat generated by artificial intelligence workloads, a growing concern for data center operators.

Opteon ZE, an HFO-based refrigerant, boasts a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of approximately 1 and zero ozone depletion potential. It is designed for air- and water-cooled chillers, commercial air conditioning, heat pumps, and data center cooling systems, offering high energy efficiency and compatibility with existing POE lubricants.

Opteon 515B, a blend with a GWP near 293, is positioned as a lower-friction transitional option for operators of conventional chillers seeking to move away from higher-GWP refrigerants without extensive system overhauls. While Opteon ZE is classified as mildly flammable (A2L), Opteon 515B is non-flammable (A1), offering distinct choices based on safety and regulatory requirements.

These refrigerants are currently available in select countries, with broader distribution planned based on demand. Chemours also emphasized its commitment to respecting intellectual property rights in the competitive low-GWP refrigerant market.