Ozone-depleting substances 2023

In 1989, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer entered into force. Its objective is to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production of ozone-depleting substances (ODS). The protocol covers around 100 individual substances with a high ozone-depleting potential (ODP), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride (CTC), 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs), bromochloromethane (BCM) and methyl bromide (MB), all of which are referred to as ‘controlled substances’.

Within the European Union (EU), the use of and trade in these substances is regulated by Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (known as the Ozone Regulation). This regulation stipulates that all companies producing controlled substances or importing them into and/or exporting them out of the EU, as well as feedstock users, process agent users and destruction facilities, must report their activities concerning controlled substances annually. The Ozone Regulation also encompasses five additional ODS that are not covered by the Montreal Protocol. These ‘new substances’ are halon 1202, methyl chloride (MC), ethyl bromide (EB), trifluoroiodomethane (TFIM) and n-propyl bromide (n-PB). Producers, importers and exporters also have to report their activities for these new substances.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) is responsible for collecting, archiving, checking and aggregating information contained in these company reports. The EEA also supports the companies in fulfilling their reporting obligations. The EU data on production, imports and exports are presented to the Ozone Secretariat of the United Nations Environment Protocol within the Montreal Protocol in order to monitor progress in phasing out ODS in compliance with the Protocol. In 2023, 195 companies reported on their 2022 activities under the Ozone Regulation.

The EU has already achieved its phase-out goals under the Montreal Protocol and reports on the uses that are still allowed.

This online data viewer summarizes the most recent data reported by companies under the Ozone Regulation and looks at trends since 2006. Data from 2012 onwards were also updated, based on reports resubmitted after the reporting deadlines for these years.

Since the potential to harm the ozone layer varies among substances, results are expressed in both metric tonnes and ODP tonnes (see definition of ODP or ozone depleting potential in the terminology below). The observed trends can differ significantly depending on the unit used. Controlled substances with a relatively high ODP (e.g. CFCs and CTC) exhibit a different trend from those with a relatively low ODP (e.g. HCFCs).

Consumption is an aggregated parameter calculated for data reported under the Montreal Protocol (see Box 1 below). It integrates the statistics on imports, exports, production and destruction of controlled substances into one single metric, excluding non-virgin imports and exports. Amounts that are produced and imported for feedstock use within the EU and process agent use are not included in consumption figures, in line with calculations applied under the Montreal Protocol. New substances listed in Annex II to the Ozone Regulation are also excluded from consumption data.

In 2022, the consumption of controlled substances amounted to -3,623 metric tonnes, down from 1,176 metric tonnes in 2021. The single activities that contribute to ODS consumption are shown in the figure below. If the sum of production and imports exceeds the sum of exports and destruction, the consumption is positive, and vice versa. With exports and production largely cancelling each other out, the negative consumption level in 2022 is the result of destruction outweighing total adjusted imports. In recent years, the consumption of controlled substances has largely been driven by CTC, HCFCs and CFC consumption. Expressed in ODP tonnes, consumption in 2022 amounted to -3,900 ODP tonnes, down from 1,627 ODP tonnes in 2021.     

Figure: Trend in consumption of controlled substances by activity

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-27 for 2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

In 2022, imports of controlled virgin substances into the EU amounted to 3,681 metric tonnes, which represents a 10% decrease compared with 2021. Thereof, 0,4 metric tonnes are relevant for consumption. The imported controlled substances were almost entirely virgin substances and 70% of them were imported from China. Around 70% of the imported virgin quantities were HCFCs, followed by BCM and halons. Controlled virgin substances were almost exclusively imported for feedstock use. Imports of controlled non-virgin substances amounted to about 2% of total imports. Expressed in ODP tonnes, imports of virgin halons and BCM were largest.

Figure: Trend in imports of controlled virgin substances into the EU

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-25 for 2006, EU-27 for 2007-2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

In 2022, exports of controlled virgin substances from the EU amounted to 39,435 metric tonnes. Overall, exports therefore did not change significantly compared to 2021, however, they reside at their highest historical level. CTC accounted for the largest quantities of exported virgin substances (65% of total exports when expressed in metric tonnes), followed by HCFCs (35% of total exports). Both CTC and HCFCs were mainly exported for feedstock use outside the EU. ODS quantities were mainly exported to the United States (59%) and Great Britain (19%). Since almost no CTC was imported in 2022, the exported quantities were mainly produced in the EU or taken from stocks which had accumulated from previous years. Looking at exports in ODP tonnes unveils a slightly different picture, as exports decreased by 11%. In terms of proportions, exports of virgin CTC were also largest (97% of total exports when expressed in ODP tonnes).

Figure: Trend in exports of controlled virgin substances out of the EU

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-25 for 2006, EU-27 for 2007-2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

Similar to imports, controlled non-virgin substances were exported out of the EU to a much lesser extent than controlled virgin substances. In 2022, non-virgin substances compose less than 2% of total exports when expressed in metric tonnes.

In 2022, the production of controlled substances in the EU amounted to 196,693 metric tonnes, a 6% decrease compared with 2021. Thereof, 40,608 metric tonnes are relevant for consumption. The quantities produced included mostly production of HCFCs, CTC and TCA. Only minor quantities of BCM, halons, CFCs and HBFCs, and no MB, were produced. In terms of metric tonnes, production for feedstock use inside the EU decreased by 5% and production for process agent use also showed a decrease in 2022 compared with 2021. Production for other uses in metric tonnes, as accounted for in the estimation of the consumption of controlled substances (see Box 1 above and the section on consumption), decreased by 11% in 2022 compared with 2021. Expressed in ODP tonnes, production of CTC and HCFCs was largest (76% and 11% of total production, respectively). Controlled substances were mainly produced for feedstock use inside the EU (79% of the produced quantity in metric tonnes).

Figure: Trend in the production of controlled substances within the EU

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-25 for 2006, EU-27 for 2007-2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

In 2022, 4,797 metric tonnes of controlled substances were destroyed in total, an 1% increase compared with 2021. The largest quantities destroyed were of CTC, CFCs and TCA (77%, 11% and 6% of total destruction, respectively). Expressed in ODP, destruction amounted to 5,105 ODP tonnes and increased by 7% compared to the year before. The largest quantities destroyed were of CTC, CFCs and halons (80%, 11% and 8% of total destruction, respectively).

Figure: Trend in destruction of controlled substances within the EU

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-27 for 2009-2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

A number of ODS serve as feedstock for the manufacture of other products such as refrigerants, foam blowing agents, polymers, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals. In 2022, feedstock use amounted to 157,117 metric tonnes, an 6% decrease compared with 2021. Feedstock availability was 157,016 metric tonnes in 2022, up by 8% from 2021. Overall feedstock availability, which is calculated as the sum of the production for feedstock use inside the EU and the imports for feedstock use inside the EU, was at a comparable level to feedstock use.

Figure: Trend in the feedstock availability and use of controlled substances

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-25 for 2006, EU-27 for 2007-2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

In 2021, the emission rate [1] from feedstock uses was 0.03%. The 2022 average emission rate was slightly higher than the emission rate in 2021 and marginally lower than the emission rate in earlier years (2016 to 2021). This appears to point towards improvements in emission control by the industry.

A process agent is a substance that either facilitates or inhibits a chemical reaction in an industrial process. In 2022, total make-up [2] and emissions stayed well below restrictions imposed by both the Montreal Protocol and the Ozone Regulation.

The Ozone Regulation is more stringent than the rules of the Montreal Protocol and encompasses new substances (halon 1202, n-PB, EB, TFIM and MC). In 2022, the production of new substances amounted to 741,640 metric tonnes, a 15% decrease compared with 2021. Production of new substances is therefore at its lowest level since 2009. The production of new substances was almost exclusively for feedstock use and related to MC (more than 99% of total production), n-PB and EB. Expressed in ODP tonnes, the production of MC was also largest (97% of total production).

Figure: Trend in the production of new substances within the EU

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-27 for 2009-2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

In 2022, the production of new substances was about four times higher than the production of controlled substances expressed in metric tonnes. However, when expressed in ODP tonnes, the production of new substances was about four times lower than that of controlled substances in the same year. This is because new substances, on average, have significantly lower ODP than controlled substances.

Figure: Comparison of the production of new and controlled substances within the EU

Note: The geographical scope of the data presented is EU-27 for 2009-2012, EU-28 for 2013-2019, EU-27 + UK for 2020 and EU-27 after 2020.
Sources: Data reported by companies to the European Environment Agency (EEA) under Article 27 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (EU Ozone Regulation).

[1] Calculated as the ratio between total emissions and quantities of controlled substances used as make-up.

[2] The amount of virgin, recovered or reclaimed controlled substances that has not been used in the process cycle before, and that is fed into the process cycle for the first time.

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS)

ODS are substances, mainly compounds containing chlorine and/or bromine, that reach the stratosphere of the Earth and whose breakdown products react with the stratospheric ozone. This reduces the concentration levels of ozone in that region of the atmosphere (commonly known as the ozone layer) and thus the capacity of the atmosphere to filter ultraviolet light. Most known ODS are regulated under the Montreal Protocol.

Controlled substances

Controlled substances are ODS that are listed in Annex I of the Ozone Regulation and are subject to the reporting obligation of Article 7 of the Montreal Protocol.

Mixtures

The term ‘mixtures’ refers to gas mixtures consisting of multiple substances, at least one of which is a controlled substance. Destruction facilities are required to report the quantities of individual substances destroyed each year. In certain cases, however, companies were only able to report on the destruction of mixtures of controlled substances with an unknown composition. Therefore, these mixtures are not included in the data presented in this online data viewer and are not reported under the Montreal Protocol.

New substances

The term ‘new substances’ refers to the five additional substances covered by the EU Ozone Regulation that are not included within the scope of the Montreal Protocol: halon 1202, n-propyl bromide (n-PB), ethyl bromide (EB), trifluoroiodomethane (TFIM) and methyl chloride (MC). Companies in the EU are obliged to report on the import, export and production of these substances in line with the Ozone Regulation’s higher level of ambition than that of the Montreal Protocol. New substances should not be confused with virgin substances (see below).

Virgin substances

These are substances that have been produced and have not been previously used. Newly produced substances are, by definition, virgin.

Non-virgin substances

These are substances that have been previously used and subsequently recovered from products and equipment, and/or been recycled or reclaimed.

Feedstock

A number of ODS serve as chemical building blocks for the manufacture of other chemicals (i.e. as ‘feedstock’). They are used (directly or indirectly) for the manufacture of a diverse range of products including refrigerants, foam blowing agents, solvents, polymers, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.

Process agent

A process agent is a substance that either facilitates a chemical reaction or inhibits an intended chemical reaction in an industrial process.

Make-up

Make-up is the quantity of virgin, recovered or reclaimed controlled substances that has not been used in the process cycle before, and that is fed into the process cycle for the first time. For feedstock and process agent uses of controlled substances, make-up has to be reported, including the emissions generated during their use.

Ozone-depleting potential

The ozone-depleting potential (ODP) of a substance refers to the relative amount of ozone depletion caused by it. It is the ratio of the impact on ozone of the emission of a chemical substance to the impact of a similar emission by mass of CFC-11. The quantity in metric tonnes of a particular controlled substance is multiplied by its ODP to give its overall potential to deplete the ozone layer. For instance, 1 metric tonne of CFC-11 corresponds to 1 ODP tonnes (as its ODP is equal to 1), whilst for bromotrifluoromethane or halon 1301 (with an ODP = 10), 1 metric tonne corresponds to 10 ODP tonnes. The ODPs of controlled and new substances are listed in Annexes I and II of the Ozone Regulation. Some new substances have a range, rather than a single ODP value. In this online data viewer, the highest value of the ODP value range is used.