Chemours Launches Opteon™ ZE and Opteon™ 515B Refrigerants for Chiller Applications Powering Data Centers, Commercial Buildings, and Other Mission Critical Environments

Rhea-AI Summary

Chemours (NYSE: CC) announced the launch of Opteon™ ZE (R-1234ze(E)) and Opteon™ 515B (R-515B) refrigerants for stationary chiller applications serving AI-driven data centers, commercial buildings, and other mission-critical environments. The additions expand the low-global warming potential (GWP) Opteon™ portfolio targeting high-growth cooling markets.

Opteon™ ZE is an HFO refrigerant with an ultra-low GWP of approximately 1 (AR5), zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), ASHRAE A2L (mildly flammable) classification, and is suited for air- and water-cooled chillers, commercial AC, heat pumps, and data center cooling. Opteon™ 515B is a zero-ODP blend of about 91.1% R-1234ze(E) and 8.9% R-227ea, with GWP around 293 (AR4) and ASHRAE A1 (no flame propagation) classification, aimed at customers transitioning from higher-GWP refrigerants. Chemours highlights its fluorochemicals expertise, IP portfolio, and plans to provide dependable long-term supply. Both products are available now in strategic countries, with broader rollout expected based on demand.

Positive

• Two new Opteon™ refrigerants launched for stationary chillers in AI data centers and commercial HVAC
• Opteon™ ZE GWP ~1 (AR5) with zero ODP and ASHRAE A2L classification
• Opteon™ 515B GWP ~293 (AR4) zero ODP blend with ASHRAE A1 classification for easier transition from higher-GWP refrigerants
• Initial availability in strategic countries with additional markets to follow based on demand

Negative

• None.

Market Context

Chemours' recent EPA settlement event, news_id 1074300, was followed by 6.06%. Against that record, ...

Analysis

Chemours' recent EPA settlement event, news_id 1074300, was followed by 6.06%. Against that record, the refrigerant launch adds portfolio evidence, while product adoption and the company's broader financial trajectory remain key risks to monitor.

Key Figures

Launch date: Aug. 10, 2026 Opteon ZE GWP: approximately 1 (AR5) Opteon ZE ODP: 0 ODP +3 more

6 metrics

Launch date Aug. 10, 2026 Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B refrigerant launch

Opteon ZE GWP approximately 1 (AR5) Opteon ZE refrigerant

Opteon ZE ODP 0 ODP Opteon ZE refrigerant

R-1234ze(E) composition approximately 91.1% Opteon 515B refrigerant blend

R-227ea composition 8.9% Opteon 515B refrigerant blend

Opteon 515B GWP approximately 293 (AR4) Opteon 515B refrigerant

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Aug 04 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Aug 04	Dividend announcement	Positive	-18.6%	Third-quarter cash dividend declared at $0.0875 per share
Aug 04	Earnings report	Negative	-18.6%	Second-quarter sales declined while Chemours reported a $274 million net loss
Jul 23	Earnings scheduling	Neutral	-1.4%	Company scheduled second-quarter results release and webcast conference call
Jun 24	EPA settlement	Negative	+6.1%	Chemours agreed to $22.5 million penalty and $90 million mitigation funding
May 05	Dividend announcement	Positive	-15.3%	Second-quarter cash dividend declared at $0.0875 per share

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent reactions were mixed, with the Q2 earnings release followed by -18.63% and the EPA settlement followed by +6.06%.

Key Terms

global warming potential (gwp), ozone depletion potential (odp), ashrae a2l classification, polyolester oil (poe), +1 more

5 terms

global warming potential (gwp) technical

"characterized by an ultra-low GWP of approximately 1 (AR5)"

A metric that compares how much heat a given greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific time period, expressed relative to the same mass of carbon dioxide (CO2). Think of it like comparing how many 'blankets' of warming one gas creates versus CO2 over a set number of years. It matters to investors because regulators, carbon pricing, emissions reporting and climate-related risk assessments use GWP to translate different gases into a common unit, affecting compliance costs, valuation of assets and disclosure of climate exposure.

ozone depletion potential (odp) technical

"and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP)"

Ozone depletion potential (ODP) is a relative metric that compares how much a chemical substance can destroy stratospheric ozone over its lifetime, using a common reference chemical as the baseline. It matters to investors because substances with higher ODP are more likely to face regulatory limits, phase-outs, or replacement costs and can affect product lines, compliance expenses, and corporate reputation—think of it like an environmental ‘risk score’ for ozone harm.

ashrae a2l classification technical

"It has an ASHRAE A2L classification (mildly flammable)."

ASHRAE A2L classification is an industry safety label for refrigerants that combines low toxicity ('A') with mild flammability ('2L'), meaning the fluid can burn but has a low burning velocity and lower heat release than more flammable grades. It matters to investors because A2L status affects equipment design, building and installation rules, insurance and regulatory approvals, and market adoption for cooling and heat-pump products—similar to how a vehicle’s fuel type influences safety features and infrastructure needs.

polyolester oil (poe) technical

"compatibility with commonly used polyolester oil (POE) lubricants"

Polyolester oil (POE) is a family of synthetic lubricants designed for use inside refrigeration and air-conditioning compressors, especially those that use modern synthetic refrigerants. Think of it as the engine oil for a refrigerator: it reduces wear, helps seal moving parts, and must chemically mix with specific refrigerants to keep the system working. Investors watch POE because its demand, price, and availability are tied to appliance production, regulatory shifts to new refrigerants, and supply-chain or manufacturing changes that affect operating costs and replacement cycles.

ashrae a1 classification technical

"Featuring a GWP of approximately 293 (AR4) and an ASHRAE A1 classification"

ASHRAE A1 classification is a safety rating from the ASHRAE refrigerant classification system that denotes a refrigerant with low toxicity and no flame propagation (non-flammable). Think of it like a label that says a substance is as safe to breathe in small amounts and will not catch fire easily, similar to how household air fresheners are rated for low harm. Investors track this because the safety class affects regulatory approvals, equipment compatibility, product costs, liability exposure, and market acceptance in heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and air-conditioning industries.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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New additions to the Opteon™ portfolio support high-performance, sustainable cooling solutions in stationary chillers for AI-driven data centers, and commercial HVAC applications

WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chemours Company (Chemours) (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company, today announced the launch of Opteon™ ZE (R-1234ze(E)) and Opteon™ 515B (R-515B) for stationary chiller applications. The products further expand the industry-leading Opteon™ portfolio and provide customers with additional low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant options for large-scale cooling applications, including rapidly growing AI and data center infrastructure.

"AI is reshaping the demands placed on cooling infrastructure, and customers need solutions that can keep pace without compromising efficiency, reliability, or long-term regulatory readiness," said Joseph Martinko, President, Thermal & Specialized Solutions at Chemours. "With Opteon™ ZE and Opteon™ 515B, Chemours is expanding the choices available to chiller OEMs and operators as they build and maintain the critical systems powering data centers, commercial buildings, and other mission critical environments, while further strengthening our position in attractive, high-growth cooling applications."

As demand for artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital infrastructure continues to grow, data center operators face increasing cooling requirements, higher heat loads, strict uptime requirements, and the need for solutions that can scale with future growth. Opteon™ ZE and Opteon™ 515B are low-GWP refrigerants designed to help address these challenges with efficient heat removal, reliable performance, and scalability, while supporting decarbonization and climate goals.

The products also support Chemours' continued focus on higher-value applications, including data center infrastructure, where long-term demand trends are driving increased investment in cooling solutions.

Opteon™ ZE (R-1234ze(E)) is a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) based refrigerant engineered to deliver exceptional performance, characterized by an ultra-low GWP of approximately 1 (AR5), and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP). It has an ASHRAE A2L classification (mildly flammable). It is well suited for air- and water-cooled chillers, commercial air conditioning, heat pumps, and data center cooling applications. Opteon™ ZE offers high energy efficiency and compatibility with commonly used polyolester oil (POE) lubricants.

Opteon™ 515B (R-515B) is a zero ODP refrigerant blend consisting of approximately 91.1% R-1234ze(E) and 8.9% R-227ea. Featuring a GWP of approximately 293 (AR4) and an ASHRAE A1 classification (no flame propagation). For conventional chiller applications, Opteon™ 515B offers a balance of lower GWP, performance, and ease of adoption for customers transitioning from higher-GWP refrigerants.

Together, these products strengthen Chemours' position as a leading provider of low-GWP refrigerant solutions, expanding the company's ability to support a broader range of chiller applications while complementing its existing portfolio of Opteon™ refrigerants used in air conditioning, refrigeration, heat pumps, and across the HVACR industry.

Importantly, Chemours is uniquely positioned to supply these products through its extensive fluorochemicals expertise, and intellectual property portfolio. The company is confident in its ability to manufacture and sell Opteon™ ZE and Opteon™ 515B while respecting applicable intellectual property rights and supporting customers with dependable long-term supply.

Opteon™ ZE and Opteon™ 515B are available now in strategic countries, with additional market availability expected to follow aligned with market demand.

About The Chemours Company

The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in providing industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and advanced electronics, general industrial, and oil and gas. Through our three businesses – Thermal & Specialized Solutions, Titanium Technologies, and Advanced Performance Materials – we deliver application expertise and chemistry-based innovations that solve customers' biggest challenges. Our flagship products are sold under prominent brands such as Opteon™, Freon™, Ti-Pure™, Nafion™, Teflon™, Viton™, and Krytox™. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC, Chemours has approximately 5,700 employees and 28 manufacturing sites and serves approximately 2,400 customers in approximately 110 countries. For more information, visit chemours.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical or current fact. The words "believe," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "target," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date such statements were made. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, new product development of refrigerants for chiller applications, expected contributions to advancing data center energy efficiency, improving sustainability, circularity, decreasing environmental footprint, plans to continue investment in research and development, all of which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties that are beyond Chemours' control. Matters outside our control, including general economic conditions, market adoption of technologies, geopolitical conditions and global health events, and changes in environmental regulations in the U.S. or other jurisdictions that affect demand for or adoption of our products, have affected or may affect our business and operations and may or may continue to hinder our ability to provide goods and services to customers, cause disruptions in our supply chains such as through strikes, labor disruptions or other events, adversely affect our business partners, significantly reduce the demand for our products, adversely affect the health and welfare of our personnel or cause other unpredictable events. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Chemours is unable to identify at this time or that Chemours does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Chemours assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. 

CONTACTS:

INVESTORS
Brandon Ontjes
VP, Head of Strategy & Investor Relations
+1.302.773.3300 
investor@chemours.com 

NEWS MEDIA
Cassie Olszewski
Media Relations & Reputation Leader
+1.302.219.7140
media@chemours.com  

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SOURCE The Chemours Company

FAQ

What did Chemours (NYSE: CC) announce about Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B on August 10, 2026?

Chemours announced the launch of Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B refrigerants for stationary chiller applications. According to Chemours, these low-GWP products target cooling needs in AI-driven data centers, commercial buildings, and other mission-critical environments while expanding the existing Opteon portfolio across high-growth cooling applications.

What are the key technical features of Chemours Opteon ZE (R-1234ze(E)) refrigerant?

Opteon ZE is an HFO-based refrigerant with ultra-low GWP of about 1 (AR5) and zero ODP. According to Chemours, it carries an ASHRAE A2L classification, offers high energy efficiency, and suits air- and water-cooled chillers, commercial air conditioning, heat pumps, and data center cooling.

How does Chemours Opteon 515B (R-515B) compare to traditional chiller refrigerants?

Opteon 515B is a zero ODP blend with GWP around 293 (AR4), positioned as a lower-GWP alternative. According to Chemours, it consists of roughly 91.1% R-1234ze(E) and 8.9% R-227ea, holds ASHRAE A1 classification, and supports easier transitions from higher-GWP refrigerants.

Why are Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B important for AI data center cooling and HVAC applications?

These refrigerants address growing cooling demands from AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure with low-GWP options. According to Chemours, they offer efficient heat removal, reliable performance, scalability, and support decarbonization and climate goals in data centers, commercial buildings, and other high-uptime environments.

Where and when will Chemours Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B be available for chiller applications?

Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B are available now in selected strategic countries, with broader rollout tied to demand. According to Chemours, additional market availability is expected to follow over time as customers adopt these refrigerants in chiller and HVACR applications.

How do Chemours’ intellectual property and manufacturing capabilities support Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B supply?

Chemours cites extensive fluorochemicals expertise and a strong intellectual property portfolio supporting these products. According to Chemours, the company is confident it can manufacture and sell Opteon ZE and Opteon 515B while respecting applicable IP rights and providing dependable long-term supply for customers.