India has successfully achieved the complete phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) - 141 b.
It is a chemical used by foam manufacturers.
It is used mainly as a blowing agent in the production of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams.
It is one of the most potent ozone depleting chemicals after Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) also brought out a Gazette notification prohibiting the issuance of import license for HCFC-141b from 1 January 2020.
It was issued under Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2019 issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Nearly, 50% of the consumption of ozone depleting chemicals in the country was attributable to HCFC-141 b in the foam sector.
Polyurethane is used in applications such as water geysers, refrigerators, thermo wares, furniture appliance, commercial refrigeration.
The complete phase out of HCFC 141 b from the country in foam sector is among the first at this scale in Article 5 parties (developing countries) under the Montreal Protocol.
The phase out of HCFC-141b from the country has twin environmental benefits, viz, assisting the healing of the stratospheric ozone layer, and towards climate change mitigation.