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Zephex® 152a
Low-global warming potential medical propellant
Zephex® 152a is the new, low-GWP sustainable medical propellant that has been developed by Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials over several years for use in metered dose inhalers (MDIs) for treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma and COPD.
Zephex® 152a reduces the carbon footprint of the propellant contained within MDI by 90%, helping to safeguard an invaluable therapeutic option for patients while making it the more sustainable choice.
Key Benefits
Reduces the carbon footprint of the propellant contained within the MDI by 90%
Lower-GWP meaning Zephex® 152a is a more sustainable choice for MDIs than the current widely used propellant
Built upon 30 years of experience in the MDI sector with its predecessors, Zephex® 134a
Our UK Technology Centre, where Zephex 152a was developed has dedicated facilities and handling protocols for low-GWP propellants
What is global warming potential or GWP?
Global Warming Potential (GWP) is a measure of the atmospheric warming potential of a propellant upon release into the atmosphere. Pressurised metered-dose-inhalers using Zephex® 152a will bring about a reduction of 90% compared to some current MDI propellants1.
As a result, the use of Zephex® 152a will result in an environmental impact comparable to other ‘green’ technologies, including dry powder inhalers, when accounting for manufacturing, use and disposal. Utilization of the 152a molecule as a lower GWP inhaler propellant addresses concerns of both patients and pharmaceutical companies2.
Physical properties of Zephex® 152a
| PROPERTY | CONDITION | UNITS | VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | g mol⁻¹ | 66.05 | |
| Boiling Point | 1 atm | °C | -24.0 |
| Melting Point | °C | -117.0 | |
| Critical Temperature | °C | 113.3 | |
| Critical Pressure | bar | 45.168 | |
| Critical Density | kg m⁻³ | 368.0 | |
| Saturated Liquid Density | 25°C | kg m⁻³ | 899.47 |
| Saturated Vapour Density | 25°C | kg m⁻³ | 18.47 |
| Surface Tension | 25°C | mN m⁻¹ | 9.71 |
| Liquid Dielectric Constant | 25°C | – | 12.5185 |
| Liquid Dielectric Strength | 5 atm | kV / 0.1 inch gap | 5.9 |
| Vapour Dipole Moment | Debye | 2.26 | |
| Liquid Dipole Moment | Debye | 3.69 | |
| Solubility of water in HFA 152a | 25°C | % w/w | 0.22 |
| Solubility of HFA 152a in water | 25°C | g L⁻¹ | 2.8 |
| Flammability in Air | 1 atm | % vol | 3.7 to 18.0 |
| Refractive Index of Liquid HFA 152a | – | 1.2434 | |
| Closed Cup Flash Point | °C | < -50.0 | |
| Saturated Vapour Pressure | 25°C | Barg | 4.95 |
| Specific Gravity | 4°C | – | 0.95 |
| Liquid Viscosity | 25°C | cP | 0.16 |
The low-GWP transition
In supporting our industry partners, we’re helping the industry navigate the F-Gas regulations throughout the low-GWP propellant transition.
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Speak with one of our experts
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