Phasing out the use of CFCs

Being a major manufacturer of reciprocating compressors for refrigerators and air-conditioners, Kulthorn Kirby once was a main source of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - ozone-depleting chemicals that not only hurt the Earth, but also pose dangers for humans.

However, since 1997 the company, with US$5.2 million (Bt164.8 million) support from the multilateral fund and technical support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Japan Electrical Manufacturers Association, has converted its

production of  compressors to use technology that does not deplete the ozone layer.

Because the company has more than 50 -per-cent share of the Thai market and 35 per cent of total production for export, the conversion of its production line has opened up the Thai compressor market to non-CFC technology, transforming the industry completely.

This has also made Thailand the first developing country to have phased out the manufacture of CFC refrigerators.

CFCs were the original chemicals used in refrigerators, cooling systems and bottled foam spray, among other things. CFCs were found to be ozone-depleting substances and became regulated by the Montreal Protocol, the international agreement established in 1987 to phase out the consumption of substances that cause  depetion of the ozone layer, Earth's protective shield.

More than 180 countries have ratified the Protocol, including Thailand, which joined in 1989.

Without the Montreal Protocol, the levels of ozone depleting substances in the atmosphere would

have increased tenfold by 2050, which could have led to up to 20

million more cases of skin cancer

and 130 million more cases of eye cataracts.

Kulthorn Kirby's work to phase out CFCs has earned it an award from the Montreal Protocol. The award ceremony was held last week at the World Bank Bangkok office.

Besides Kulthorn Kirby, eight other Thai companies have won Montreal Protocol Exemplary Project Recognition awards for their participation in the Thai Building Chiller Replacement Project, in which they replaced their old building chillers using CFCs with energy-efficient, non-CFC chillers.

The eight companies are the Grand Hyatt Erawan, the Erawan Group, Venus Thread, Vibhavadee Rangsit Hotel, Toshiba Semi-

conductor (Thailand), Thai CRT, Jong Stit and Euromill Hotel.

"These companies made the

commendable decision to make

corporate social responsibility one of their priorities," Ian Porter, the Thailand Country Director of the World Bank, said.

Rajendra Shende, Head of the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics Ozone Action Branch, said the CFC phase-out in the chiller market will benefit from greater coordination between

technical institutions, regulatory bodies, the private sector and project implementation agencies.

"Such action would contribute to the reduction of both CFC and greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

Under the Montreal Protocol, by 2010, ozone depleting chemicals would be banned in developing countries, including those in Asia-Pacific, a region that accounts for 70 per cent of global CFC emissions.

Without cooperation from big companies such as Kulthorn Kirby and those who helped them implement the new technology, Thailand could not have succeeded in phasing out CFC use.