The local manager of Arkema's fluorochemical business, Kylie Farrelley, has been appointed the new chair for Refrigerants Australia (RA).
She was officially elected by the RA Board last month and has replaced Brett Fraser, who resigned to pursue a career outside of the industry.
“I have big shoes to fill. Brett's experience, knowledge and insight into industry were highly developed and will be difficult to match,” Farrelley said.
Commenting on her priorities as the new chair, Farrelley said the industry is in a rapid state of change and RA is committed to ensuring the Australian HVACR industry is at the forefront of new refrigerants and technologies, and making sure there is good policy and safeguards in place to encourage this transition.
“RA has spent much of the last 10 years focused on advocating good policy outcomes for industry with regards to synthetic refrigerants, through the introduction and removal of the Carbon Levy and more recently amendments to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act as well as the HFC phasedown.
“While a lot has happened in relation to synthetic refrigerants, its important to remember that RA is technology neutral. Our members sell about 90 per cent of the ammonia and Co2 used as refrigerants in Australia and much of the hydrocarbons used in original equipment manufacture.”
Now that industry has a clear direction on the HFC phasedown, Farrelley said RA is able to refocus on issues relating to the introduction of new low GWP refrigerants including natural refrigerants, by continuing to engage government and other authorities on issues relating to safety, training and licensing.
“Communicating these efforts to broader industry will also be a priority,” she said.
“Of all the activities that RA has engaged in over the last few years, I am particularly proud of the Future: Gas seminars which allowed RA to better inform industry about changes in refrigerant regulations, their properties, and how they can be safely used.
“I want to support more activities like this while I am chair of RA.”
The position of chair is held for a two year period when the Board can either elect a new chair or re-elect the incumbent.