Facts and Figures

SOURCE: Refrigerant Reclaim Australia – 2010 Audit Figures:

• Approximately 800,000 motor vehicles are disposed of annually. Assume that 70% have airconditioning fitted with an average refrigerant charge of 800 grams. If half of this amount is available for recovery at End-of-Life then 190 tonnes should be available for recovery.

• Approximately 8 million airconditioning systems are installed in Australia with an average refrigerant charge of 1.6Kg and an annual estimated leakage rate of 3%. Assume a 12 year life span of this equipment then 680 tonnes of ODS and SGG refrigerants should be available for recovery.

• The amount of refrigerant available for recovery from other refrigeration and airconditioning plant and equipment is estimated at 300 tonnes per annum, based on a 15 year lifespan and assuming 2/3 of the refrigerant charge being present when decommissioned at End –of-Life.

• Bulk refrigerant sold in 2010 = 4600 tonnes; OEM = 600 tonnes, New Installations = 1400 tonnes, Auto Service = 900 tonnes, Comm/Ind/Dom Service = 1700 tonnes.

• Refrigerant Available for Recovery from End-of-Life Equipment = 1380 tonnes. Automotive = 400 tonnes, Airconditioning = 680 tonnes, Commercial = 300 tonnes.

It is estimated that between 300 – 865 tonnes of refrigerant is not being recovered and returned for destruction from End-of-Life Equipment.