Ozone-eating chemical to be banned

China will ban a chemical foaming agent used to make polyurethane insulation that can deplete Earth's ozone layer.

Affected enterprises are asked to switch to low-carbon and more environmentally friendly replacements, the country's top environmental watchdog announced on Wednesday.

Starting Jan 1, manufacturers of refrigerators, refrigerated containers and electric water heaters will no longer be able to use foam insulation made with the chemical - known as HCFC-141b - according to a statement from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.