Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) will be attending ARBS 2026, joining the HVAC&R industry at a time of significant transition.
As the HFC phase down continues across Australia, the persistent use of 404A will put undue pressure on refrigerant supply and should be a major focus for technicians, contractors, suppliers and equipment owners.
While much of the conversation across the sector focuses on new technologies and lower global warming potential alternatives, there is an opportunity for Australia to focus on the significant bank of refrigerant contained within existing refrigeration and air conditioning systems operating across supermarkets, cold storage facilities, commercial refrigeration and transport applications.
R404A has a global warming potential close to 4000 times that of carbon dioxide.
As systems are serviced, retrofitted or reach end of life, the refrigerant contained within them must be recovered and managed responsibly. What happens to that refrigerant next is critical.
RRA is leading a proactive, industry wide initiative to voluntarily retire R404A from existing systems. In partnership with The Expert Group and the broader refrigeration and air conditioning trade, RRA is developing pathways to accelerate this transition before quota pressure and refrigerant costs rise further.The transition away from high-GWP refrigerants means that the next decade will be critical. As legacy gases such as R404A are removed from systems, ensuring they are captured and responsibly managed will play a key role in supporting Australia’s environmental commitments.
By analysing refrigerant recovered from vehicles across workshops nationwide, the study provides deeper insight into which refrigerants are present in automotive systems and how often contamination occurs. It also helps monitor potential unintended consequences of the HFC phase down, including supply shortages and price pressures.
Visitors to ARBS 2026 are encouraged to stop by Stand 789, join the RRA seminar and speak with the RRA team to learn more. We will be discussing the industry’s ongoing work to manage legacy refrigerants and can help technicians and businesses calculate their refrigerant footprint, providing practical insight into the role recovery plays in reducing emissions.
Through collaboration with technicians, wholesalers and contractors, the industry has already achieved significant results. Since the scheme began, more than 10.7 million kilograms of refrigerant gas have been recovered and safely destroyed through RRA, preventing millions of tonnes of emissions.
When refrigerant is recovered, returned and destroyed responsibly, the industry protects both its reputation and the atmosphere.