Chemistry Australia has announced the 2026 winners of its plastics and chemicals Industry Awards, naming the leaders who made an outstanding contribution to the sector’s leadership, innovation and sustainability.
The announcements were made at Chemistry Australia’s annual Industry Awards event at the Sofitel Melbourne on Thursday 25 JuneChemistry Australia members, suppliers and partners of the industry turned up in force to celebrate the Awards, which highlight the ideas, hard work and commitment of Chemistry Australia members to deliver products that are used every day across the economy.
Award winners were recognised for outstanding achievements in the areas of net zero transition, circular economy, health, safety and environment, and emerging leadership. A veteran of the chemicals and plastics industry who has played a significant role in the success of the industry and Chemistry Australia was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Chemistry Australia CEO Matthew Flügge said the Awards are an important opportunity to recognise the enormous value our industry generates for the Australian economy, and the incredible work its people and businesses are doing to improve the lives of Australians every day.
“Every day, our members demonstrate exceptional talent, innovation, and problem-solving capability,” said Mr Flügge.
“Through their business investment in capital and expertise, our members are addressing real-world challenges and delivering measurable improvements to their operations and supply chains, driving efficiency, productivity, and sustainability gains for virtually every sector in Australia.”
“We congratulate all 2026 Industry Award winners. Your achievements reflect the strength of the chemicals and plastics industry and the significant value you create – not just within your organisations, but across the industry and broader economy.”
Chemistry Australia thanks its Gold and Silver sponsors – Evoro Group, Holmwood Highgate, Choice Energy, and HR Legal – for their support, and the event’s Bronze Sponsors, Marsh, MicroRisk Group, and The Tartan Group.
2026 Chemistry Australia Industry Award winners:
Net Zero Transition – sponsored by Choice Energy
Winner: BOC
BOC was awarded the Net Zero Transition Award for its genuine commitment to advancing sustainable development goals, driving meaningful emissions reductions, and enabling lower carbon solutions for customers.
BOC has achieved substantial, measurable reductions in Scope 2 emissions through large scale renewable electricity procurement on the East and West Coasts of Australia.
In addition to lowering BOC’s emissions in Australia, these agreements will also help customers decarbonise by supplying crucial industrial gases which have a lower carbon intensity across sectors such as mining, healthcare, manufacturing, food & beverage and energy production.
Circular Economy – sponsored by Evoro Group
Winner: Paintback Australia
Paintback was awarded the 2026 Circular Economy Award for their leadership in circular economy innovation and product stewardship.
Through the incorporation of recycled paint into community sports courts, Paintback has turned unwanted waste into products for use in local infrastructure and sporting facilities, showing that circular solutions are real, valuable, and achievable today. This project and the ongoing product use demonstrates how environmental and circular economy innovation can be embedded into asset renewal without compromising performance or safety.
Paintback’s sporting surface partnership with APT is a standout example of the circular economy in action – advancing circularity across all stages into new products that benefit our communities.
Health, Safety and Environment – sponsored by HR Legal
Winner: Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers
Wesfarmers, Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers’ (WesCEF) safety campaign ‘Your Reason to Stay Safe’ was the winner of the 2026 Health, Safety and Environment Award.
WesCEF delivered a highly effective and innovative, people-focused safety campaign that strengthened personal accountability across its workforce.
By connecting employees’ personal motivations to safe behaviours and driving strong engagement across the organisation, the campaign improved safety culture, increased meaningful conversations, and achieved measurable results – including a 53 per cent reduction in injury rates and only one recordable injury – during the campaign period.
The campaign also engaged company leaders – through active promotion and participation in the program – to help drive cultural change and reinforce shared responsibility for safety.
Young Leader
Winner: Grant Powles, National Account Manager, Dow Australia and New Zealand
Grant is an impressive young leader who has earned a reputation as a highly respected and committed member of their organisation. He has achieved many leadership accomplishments, including driving improvements in efficiency, governance, and strengthened profitability. Beyond these achievements, Grant has fostered strong, trusting relationships with both colleagues and customers, creating an environment of collaboration and mutual support.
Grant consistently seeks out new opportunities for growth – both personal and professional – demonstrating a genuine passion for continuous improvement and excellence.
He has made a significant contribution to his organisation and the wider industry and is well placed to continue growing as a respected and influential leader.
Hall of Fame – sponsored by Holmwood Highgate
Winner: Russell Schroeter, Director and Chairman of the Board, SNF Australia
The 2026 Hall of Fame recipient Russell Schroeter has made an enormous contribution to the work of Chemistry Australia, Australia’s industrial chemical industry, and – through this work – the broader economy.
For close to two decades, Russell has dedicated his time and support to the Chemistry Australia Board and Councils, contributing valuable guidance and expertise to the association’s ongoing work.
Russell has helped build Australia’s manufacturing capability as a business leader and Managing Director of SNF Australia, a major chemical manufacturing facility commissioned and built in the early 2000s. He continues to guide the growth and success of SNF Australia today.
Russell has long advocated for meaningful regulatory outcomes that drive improvements for members and the broader industry and has regularly volunteered to steward the organisation’s regulatory and finance committees.
Russell is highly regarded for his willingness to step forward and provide valuable leadership, with a calm maturity and respect.
If you would like to get in touch with our Award winners, or source images from the 2026 Industry Awards, please contact Shayna Welsh – or 0448 660 443
