Daikin gives free access to R32 patents
In a move to encourage the adoption of R32 refrigerant, Daikin is to offer rival manufacturers worldwide free access to its patents.
The patents on the production of R32 have already expired, but Daikin holds a large number of patents governing the use of the lower GWP refrigerant in air conditioning systems. The emerging markets already have free access to these patents, and now, in an unprecedented move, Daikin is offering companies worldwide similar free access to 93 separate R32 patents.
In a statement today, Daikin says its action “is aimed at encouraging manufacturers worldwide to adopt sustainable comfort cooling and heating technologies that use HFC32, a refrigerant with a lower global warming impact than commonly-used refrigerants”.