Honeywell starts up new $300M auto refrigerant production plant

May 16, 2017 – In an effort to meet the growing demand for its next-generation mobile air conditioning refrigerant, Honeywell has started commercial operations at its new Geismar, La., manufacturing plant.

With this start-up, the plant becomes the world’s largest site for producing the Solstice yf auto refrigerant.

According to the company, the plant is one of its most advanced production sites and will showcase some of Honeywell’s own process and automation technologies, including Honeywell Connected Plant.

Honeywell says it “invested heavily” in the construction and supply of the Geismar facility, increasing its workforce by more than 20 per cent, as well as supporting nearly 1,400 construction jobs as part of the project.

“Our new Geismar plant will be a leading source of supply of Solstice yf for our global automotive customer base,” said Rick Winick, automotive refrigerants business director. “As we have successfully converted our customers’ fleets in the U.S. and Europe, this new capacity will enable Honeywell to help additional countries to meet their commitments to transition to next-generation, environmentally preferable mobile air conditioning refrigerants.”