Yucleo ZE (HFO-1234ze(E)): A New Era of Propellant Performance and Sustainability

For decades, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) such as HFC-152a and HFC-134a have been widely used as aerosol propellants, refrigerants, and blowing agents. While effective, their high global warming potential (GWP) and regulatory restrictions have created an urgent need for alternatives. Enter Yucleo ZE (HFO-1234ze(E)) — a hydrofluoroolefin that combines excellent performance with a dramatically lower environmental footprint. 

Why Replace HFC-152a and HFC-134a? 

• Environmental Regulations: Both 152a and 134a face strict phase-downs under the Kigali Amendment, the AIM Act, and other global frameworks due to their high GWP. 

• Sustainability Pressure: Consumer brands and pharmaceutical companies are under increasing pressure to adopt eco-friendly solutions. 

• Performance Limitations: In certain applications, HFCs also present challenges in flammability, efficiency, or compliance. 

The Advantages of Yucleo ZE 

1. Ultra-Low GWP With zero ozone depletion (ODP) and a GWP of less than 1, Yucleo ZE offers a climate impact comparable to carbon dioxide — far below HFC-152a (GWP ≈ 124) and HFC-134a (GWP ≈ 1430). 

2. Regulatory Compliance Already accepted under EPA SNAP and European F-Gas regulations, Yucleo ZE positions manufacturers ahead of compliance deadlines. 

3. Safety Profile Non-flammable at 23 °C, Yucleo ZE provides a safer balance between performance and handling requirements. 

4. Pressure Stability for Reliability One of the key strengths of Yucleo ZE lies in its saturation pressure characteristics. 

Within the 0–50 °C range, Yucleo ZE demonstrates a 15% lower saturation pressure compared to 152a and a 23% lower pressure compared to 134a. 

This ensures smoother and more consistent propellant performance, offering finished products greater stability, reliability, and user experience across diverse applications. 

Figure 1. Saturation pressure comparison of Yucleo ZE vs. HFC-152a and HFC-134a. 

Applications in Focus 

• Consumer Aerosols: A direct substitute for HFC-152a and HFC-134a in personal care, household, and industrial sprays. For example, freezing spray, cleaning spray, air horn and topical spray. 

• Pharmaceuticals: Enables sustainable transition for pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs), ensuring patient safety while meeting global climate commitments. 

The Market Outlook 

As the industry accelerates away from legacy HFCs, adoption of Yucleo ZE is projected to grow significantly. Its balance of performance, safety, and sustainability positions it as the propellant of choice for the next decade. 

Yucleo ZE is more than just a replacement — it represents a leap forward in environmental responsibility and technological innovation. With advantages such as ultra-low GWP, regulatory readiness, and reliable pressure stability, Yucleo ZE is positioned to set the benchmark for propellant performance across industries.