FCKW

FCKW is the acronym used in German for fluorinated chlorinated hydrocarbons, commonly known in English as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These are synthetic organic compounds composed of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, sometimes with hydrogen atoms. They were developed in the early 20th century and gained widespread use because they are non-flammable, chemically stable, and effective as refrigerants, solvents, propellants for aerosols, and blowing agents for polyurethane foams.

Because of their stability, FCKWs persist in the atmosphere for decades. When they reach the stratosphere, ultraviolet light releases chlorine atoms from the molecules, and these atoms catalytically destroy ozone, thinning the ozone layer. The most well-known CFCs include CFC-11 and CFC-12, among many related compounds with varying ozone depletion and global warming potentials.

In response to the ozone issue, international action began with the late-1970s scientific findings and culminated in the Montreal Protocol of 1987, with later amendments to tighten controls. Production and consumption of many FCKWs have been phased out or tightly regulated. Substitutes such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are partially ozone-depleting, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contain no chlorine but are greenhouse gases, have been adopted in many applications. Additional shifts favor natural refrigerants and alternative technologies, including hydrocarbons, ammonia, and carbon dioxide.

Today, FCKWs are largely being phased out in developed regions, though legacy stocks and some niche uses persist in certain industries and regions. Their regulation reflects concerns about both ozone layer protection and climate impact, guiding the transition to lower- or zero-ozone-depleting and lower-global-warming-potential alternatives.