Tag: SightGlass News Issue 37

Ozone Act review

By Refrigerants Australia executive director Dr Greg Picker To prevent emissions of R134a, and its predecessors, in 2005 the federal government made it a requirement for all technicians who worked on vehicle air-conditioners to be competent to do so, and have this status reflected in a license. Anyone who did not have the license was … Continue reading Licensing for car air-conditioning approaching a cross-road?

China’s HFC emissions now represent more than 20 per cent of the global total, with research showing a 30-fold increase since 2005 that threatens international climate goals. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that combined emissions of three major HFCs reached 206.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022, roughly equal to … Continue reading China’s HFC emissions exceed 20 per cent of global total

Koura has launched Klea Edge 444A across the UK and Europe and positioned it as a direct aftermarket replacement for R-1234yf in automotive air-conditioning systems. The new refrigerant is claimed to offer enhanced vehicle performance and reduced environmental impact at a lower cost than current alternatives but has a higher global warming potential than the … Continue reading Just because you can… Koura publishes retrofit guides

The European Union’s ambitious F-gas regulation, designed to slash emissions from the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry, is causing headaches at home and diplomatic friction abroad. In Denmark, trade body Dansk Køl & Varme has publicly slammed the Danish Chemicals Inspectorate for what it calls enforcement failures. The association says illegal refrigerant sales are happening openly … Continue reading Trade disputes, enforcement gaps plague EU F-Gas regs

A shift towards electrification in the world of heavy machinery is not only underway but accelerating with the introduction of electric platforms like Dannar’s MPS and Case’s 580EV electric backhoe loader emerging with the potential to reshape the landscape of off-highway and construction machinery. Beyond the obvious emissions reductions, developments in this industry promise to increase … Continue reading The future of machinery: Modular and electrified

Major vocational training reform in New Zealand promises to give the automotive sector greater control over apprenticeships and traineeships. It involves a departure from the centralised model under Te Pūkenga, the country’s Institute of Skills and Technology and aims to ensure work-based programmes are more closely aligned with industry needs and job realities. The shift … Continue reading NZ auto industry welcomes vocational training reform

The cold chain industry is undergoing a major transformation as electric reefers – powered by solar energy, batteries, and regenerative braking – begin to replace traditional diesel systems.  In Australia, continental Europe and the UK, innovative trials and commercial rollouts are proving that sustainable refrigerated transport is both viable and already working. Australia’s first solar … Continue reading Cold chain goes solar

R1234yf cylinder

Honeywell has officially announced its new publicly traded spin-off refrigerant company, Solstice Advanced Materials, expected to be completed by late 2025 or early 2026, allowing both companies to pursue independent growth. With projected revenue approaching A$6.7 billion, Solstice Advanced Materials will remain headquartered in Morris Plains, New Jersey, and leverage its flagship hydrofluoroolefin technology, developed … Continue reading Honeywell’s refrigerant spin-off Solstice takes shape

Chemours plant near Corpus Christi, Texas

Chemours reported a 14 per cent increase in sales of its Opteon HFO refrigerants and low-GWP blends in 2024, reaching $810 million (A$1.25 billion). Growth was particularly strong in the fourth quarter, with a 23 per cent year-on-year rise, as customers prepared for the U.S. AIM Act, which took effect in 2024 and mandates the … Continue reading Low-GWP shift lifts sales for Chemours Opteon brand 

Utah Senator Mike Lee has urged United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider pulling the US out of the Montreal Protocol – and SightGlass understands American industry is taking the prospect seriously. In a letter dated 30 April 2025, Senator Lee cited scientific, economic, and geopolitical concerns, calling the treaty a “relic of … Continue reading Senator wants to cancel Montreal Protocol