■ SK Enmove secures ASHRAE R-Number certification for three refrigerants, strengthening its global leadership in thermal management solutions
SK Enmove has achieved another significant milestone in its journey toward innovation and sustainability by earning international certification for its next-generation automotive refrigerants.
The company announced on February 10 (KST) that two of its proprietary refrigerants received the prestigious R-Number certification from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), a globally recognized authority in the field.
The R-Number certification is awarded by ASHRAE following a rigorous evaluation of a refrigerant’s material properties, including safety, efficiency, and overall performance. This recent recognition brings SK Enmove’s total number of certified refrigerants to three, following a similar achievement in June last year. All three refrigerants were developed as part of a strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, initiated in January 2024, to create next-generation refrigerants capable of improving heating and cooling performance by over 30%.
“These newly certified refrigerants are compatible with all types of vehicle air conditioning systems,” said an SK Enmove representative. “They are specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs), which demand dual-purpose heating and cooling solutions because they lack the waste heat generated by internal combustion engines.”
In performance evaluations conducted under the same conditions as commercialized EV air conditioning systems, SK Enmove’s next-generation refrigerants demonstrated exceptional heating and cooling efficiency. They also improved the performance of heat pumps, a critical component in EV thermal management, resulting in improved energy consumption efficiency for EVs.
The company emphasized that its refrigerants meet the increasingly stringent global environmental regulations. They comply with the U.S. AIM Act (American Innovation and Manufacturing Act), which mandates the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse gases used in refrigerants. Additionally, the refrigerants are expected to align with the European Union’s upcoming regulations on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment.
Kim Wone-kee, CEO of SK Enmove, stated, “This milestone reflects over a decade of expertise in thermal management research and development, including breakthroughs in lubricants for electric vehicles (EV Fluids) and immersion cooling fluids (Thermal Fluids). By rapidly advancing our refrigerant technologies, we have earned the prestigious R-Number certification.” He continued, “We will continue to enhance our thermal management capabilities to establish SK Enmove as a global leader in refrigerant innovation and a trusted Energy Saving Company driving efficiency and sustainability.”
[Photos]
(Photo 1) A still cut of next-generation automotive refrigerant featured in the brand video of SK Enmove
(Photo 2) Logo of The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
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