The global HVAC&R industry is undergoing a structural transformation as manufacturers accelerate the transition toward low-GWP refrigerants in response to increasingly stringent regulatory frameworks and sustainability targets. This shift is redefining material requirements for heat exchangers and refrigeration systems, creating demand for solutions that combine higher mechanical strength, safety under elevated pressures, long-term reliability, and manufacturing compatibility.
In this evolving environment, Halcor, with the collaboration of ELKEME, has developed a new advanced-performance copper alloy tube, the new TALOS® XR product line, based on a CuZnSnP composition, specifically engineered to meet the demands of next-generation HVAC&R applications. The new alloy represents a strategic enhancement of Halcor’s product portfolio, offering customers an additional, specialized material solution rather than a replacement of existing copper alloys, and enabling system designers to respond more effectively to emerging refrigerant technologies.
A key challenge associated with the adoption of low-GWP refrigerants — including high-pressure options such as CO₂ — is the need for materials that can safely withstand increased operating pressures while enabling the use of thinner tube walls. Thinner wall designs support higher system efficiency, reduced material usage, and lighter heat exchanger assemblies, without compromising safety or performance. Halcor’s newly developed alloy addresses this challenge by combining increased mechanical strength with preserved formability, allowing full compatibility with existing manufacturing and forming processes.
Beyond mechanical performance, the alloy provides an effective materials solution to formicary (ant-nest) corrosion, a critical issue for heat exchanger manufacturers that can significantly affect system durability and lifecycle performance. By mitigating this risk, the new alloy supports longer service life, reduced maintenance requirements, and enhanced reliability in demanding operating environments.
This development reflects Halcor’s ability to translate regulatory and market shifts into differentiated, higher-value product offerings. The introduction of advanced alloys tailored to next-generation refrigerants enhances portfolio resilience, supports premium positioning in technically demanding segments, and reinforces long-term customer relationships through application-specific solutions. At the same time, maintaining compatibility with existing production infrastructure ensures efficient industrial scalability and controlled capital intensity.
As the HVAC&R industry continues to evolve under environmental and efficiency-driven regulation, Halcor’s investment in advanced metallurgy and product development positions the Group to capture value from structural growth trends, strengthen its role in sustainable building and cooling applications, and support long-term value creation across the European and global HVAC&R supply chain.