SightGlass

Jail for man behind US R22 Ponzi scheme

A 68-year-old man from St. Louis, Missouri, has been sentenced to prison for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme involving the trade of ozone-depleting R-22 refrigerant. Robert F. Rothluebbers was convicted of wire fraud after admitting to running the scheme from October 2014 to May 2017, during which he defrauded unsuspecting investors of $350,000. Rothluebbers solicited investments, … Continue reading Jail for man behind US R22 Ponzi scheme

Sunswap, the pioneering British manufacturer of zero-emission transport refrigeration systems, has expanded its operations with the opening of a new production facility in Leatherhead, Surrey. This move comes as the company experiences increasing demand for its solar and battery-powered refrigeration units across the UK and Europe. The new facility will produce Sunswap’s “Endurance” transport refrigeration … Continue reading New factory for British solar reefer firm

Trucks with e-axles to proliferate

The 2025 Brisbane Truck Show (May 15-18) looks likely to have an increased focus on electric axles (e-axles), which have the potential to boost the efficiency and environmental performance of both truck and trailer setups – especially for refrigerated transport. Since a handful of e-axle technologies were showcased at the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show (the … Continue reading Trucks with e-axles to proliferate

As the cost of regulated high-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants continues to rise and supply diminishes, the illegal trade in these substances is becoming an increasingly pressing global issue.  Regular SightGlass readers will have seen how smugglers exploit weaknesses in customs enforcement and bypass security measures, creating a grey market where refrigerants are sold at … Continue reading The world is still combating illegal refrigerants

Electrocaloric tech to help cool cars?

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a new, compact cooling device that can reduce temperatures by up to 16°F (9°C) in the surrounding area and as much as 25°F (14°C) at the heat source within 30 seconds, showing promise in transforming wearable cooling technologies, portable devices, and potentially even car … Continue reading Electrocaloric tech to help cool cars?

Magnetic cooling attracts attention

German company Magnotherm has made a significant advancement in the development of refrigerant-free cooling systems, demonstrating that magnetocaloric materials can be protected by applying a copper coating and corrosion inhibitor to the alloys used in technology that is claimed to be 40 per cent more energy efficient than vapour compression. After three months of continuous … Continue reading Magnetic cooling attracts attention

A team of scientists at Australia’s Monash University have achieved a breakthrough in developing an ultra-fast charging lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery that is poised to power everything from long-haul electric vehicles (EVs) to commercial drones. This game-changing technology, detailed in a recent publication in ‘Advanced Energy Materials’, could also pave the way for electric aircraft in the … Continue reading Aussie battery breakthrough: Ultra fast-charging lithium-sulphur tech

Automotive skilled migration win

The Australian government introduced significant changes to the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) to tackle workforce shortages in critical industries, the updated list featuring 456 occupations eligible for skilled migration, including nine key automotive trades now officially recognised under the program. The revised CSOL updates previous lists from the temporary skilled visa program and, based … Continue reading Automotive skilled migration win

By Refrigerants Australia executive director Dr Greg Picker Recent speculation about the availability and future of refrigerants prices, unnecessary scaremongering and misinformation has increased the level of concern and uncertainty among the industry.  This article looks to provide insight into the context, background, impacts and what consumers can expect to see in the near future … Continue reading Cool heads prevail: Managing Australia’s refrigerant market

The global shift towards electrified vehicles is more than just a move into the clean economy, it is driving economic transformation, with Australia prioritising workforce development to support this transition. Addressing the opportunities and the need for specialised labour requites strategic collaborations among governments, industries and training providers. These are slowly emerging to overcome future … Continue reading Electrification is reshaping industries and workforce demands