China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) has issued a new regulation prohibiting the production of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam products that use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or HCFC-containing mixtures as blowing agents, effective 1 July 2026.
The announcement represents a key step in China’s implementation of the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP) and its commitments under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol.
XPS foam products covered by the ban
The ban applies to XPS foam products manufactured from polystyrene resin or its copolymers and covers a broad range of insulation and construction materials defined under national and industry standards. These include XPS thermal insulation boards, building insulation system materials, cold-storage insulation products, geotechnical XPS materials, and graphite-modified XPS insulation boards.
Climate and ozone benefits
According to the MEE, the measure is designed to achieve the HCFC phase-out targets established under the Montreal Protocol, eliminate the use of ozone-depleting substances in the XPS sector, and promote the adoption of environmentally friendly and low-carbon alternatives. The transition is expected to contribute not only to protecting the ozone layer, but also and significant long-term greenhouse gas mitigation benefits, while accelerating the green transition of the construction materials industry.
The phase-out of HCFCs in the XPS sector is particularly significant because the substances traditionally used as blowing agents —primarily HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b— are both ozone-depleting substances and potent greenhouse gases. HCFC-142b has a 100-year global warming potential (GWP) of approximately 1980 times of carbon dioxide, while HCFC-22 has a GWP of around 1,760. As a result, even relatively small quantities released during production and over the lifetime of foam products can generate substantial climate impacts. According to China’s HCFC phase-out programme, reductions in HCFC production in XPS sector have already delivered climate benefits equivalent to approximately 18.62 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
Implementation and enforcement
Environmental authorities at all levels have been instructed to strengthen supervision and ensure full compliance with the regulation. Enterprises found to be using HCFCs in violation of the ban will be subject to enforcement actions and penalties in accordance with relevant environmental regulations.
The announcement marks the completion of China’s long-term effort to transform the XPS foam industry under the HPMP framework. Through technical conversion projects, policy measures, and industry support programs implemented over the past decade, manufacturers have progressively shifted away from HCFC-based technologies toward sustainable alternatives. The new ban establishes a clear regulatory endpoint for HCFC use in the sector.
Original Policy: 关于禁止生产以含氢氯氟烃（HCFCs）为发泡剂的挤出聚苯乙烯泡沫产品的公告
