Excellence in the Australian chemistry industry was celebrated last night with five outstanding individuals and organisations recognised for their achievements in the first-ever Chemistry Australia Industry Awards.

Held at the Pavilion, Melbourne Arts Centre, the 2023 Industry Awards acknowledge the achievements of the sector’s best and brightest from the diverse range of businesses across Chemistry Australia’s membership.

With the theme of “future industry”, the Awards recognised achievements to significantly reduce emissions, support an Australian circular economy, and protect the health and safety of workers, communities and the environment.  Young leaders in the industry were also celebrated for their contribution to their businesses and the community.

Awards were presented across five categories; Net Zero Transition, Circular Economy, Health, Safety & Environment, Young Leader and Hall of Fame.

Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF) won the Net Zero Transition Award for its extensive emissions reduction initiatives in the organisation’s Our Journey to Net Zero program.

WesCEF CEO Ian Hansen was also recognised for his outstanding contribution to the long-term success and sustainability of the Australian chemistry industry, and to Chemistry Australia, with his induction into the Hall of Fame. 

The Circular Economy Award was presented to Dulux Paints and Coatings for its Dulux Project Earth Circular Plastic Recycling Program, which has collected and recycled more than 25 tonnes of paint pails. 

Air Liquide Australia, a supplier of gases, technologies and services for industry and health, won the Health, Safety and Environment Award.  Air Liquide Australia’s comprehensive Safety From Every Angle continuous improvement program has helped it achieve year-on-year injury reductions.

Finally, Incitec Pivot Limited’s Hannah Campbell has been named the industry’s Young Leader Award winner.

Hannah is a member of Chemistry Australia’s Emerging Leaders program and the Award recognises her significant achievements in team leadership roles in a production environment and inclusive approach to leadership.

Chemistry Australia CEO Samantha Read said “It’s our first ever awards, and I’m pleased to say our judges had a very impressive field of nominees to choose from.”

“The breadth of talent and ideas in the Award nominations we received demonstrates there is considerable innovation currently taking place in our sector, particularly in the areas of climate neutrality and the circular economy.”

“Our congratulations go to everyone who participated in the Awards, especially our finalists and Award winners, who are making considerable advances for their organisation, the industry and for the future of Australia.” 

The Australian chemistry industry contributes $38 billion towards Australia’s GDP annually and supplies essential inputs to 108 of Australia’s 114 industries.

 The industry is committed to playing its role in helping Australia transition to a climate neutral economy by:

• Developing future technologies and solutions,
• Delivering significant emissions reduction,
• Supporting a circular economy through process and technology changes, alongside
• Developing its future leaders and industry capability.

2023 Chemistry Australia Industry Awards:

Net Zero Transition

Finalists

• Incitec Pivot Limited
• Orica Australia Limited
• Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers

Winner: Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers

The Net Zero Transition trophy was awarded to Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF) for its work to introduce multiple initiatives to reduce emissions on its decarbonisation journey, including the launch of its Net Zero Roadmap in 2022, with an interim emissions reduction of 30% by 2030 relative to a 2020 baseline and a target of net zero emissions by 2050.

With a proven track record in emissions reduction, WesCEF has been focussed on climate change technology for many years, achieving significant reductions in emissions through the introduction of nitrous oxide abatement catalysts across its nitric acid plants, capturing excess steam to generate electricity, and carbon capture and utilisation. 

Circular Economy

Finalists

• Dulux Paints and Coatings
• Pact Group Holdings Australia
• Qenos

Winner: Dulux Paints and Coatings

Dulux Paints and Coatings has established a national product stewardship scheme for the collection and recycling of used plastic paint packaging from large commercial building sites.

The collected used plastic pails and tear strips pails are granulated and manufactured into new plastic products such as roller trays, stirrers and painter pots for resale into the paint industry.

The program has already collected and recycled over 25 tonnes of paint pails from over 25 construction sites, manufactured over 15,000 individual products out of recycled plastic and Dulux has begun retailing these products to painters. 

Health, Safety and Environment

Finalists

• Air Liquide Australia Limited
• BASF Australia Limited
• Incitec Pivot Limited

Winner: Air Liquide Australia Limited

Air Liquide Australia Limited’s Safety From Every Angle continuous improvement program has contributed towards a continuous 4 year-on-year reduction in total recordable injuries. Although not the only measure of improvement, it represents a consistent trend that is underpinned by a comprehensive improvement program.

This organisation is continuing to improve its Health and Safety systems to support its ambition of “zero accidents” consistently over time because of its core belief that everyone deserves to go home the same way they came to work. 

Young Leader

Finalists

• Hannah Campbell, Incitec Pivot Limited
• Annabel Lim, Dow Australia and New Zealand
• Daniel Mills, BOC

Winner: Hannah Campbell, Incitec Pivot Limited

Hannah Campbell, Production Manager at Dyno Nobel Moranbah, is a Chemical Engineer whose ambition is to be an authentic and outcome-focussed leader, who values diversity and is driven to help people reach their full potential.

Hannah has combined her passion for people with delivering critical business outcomes across different fertiliser and industrial explosives processes over the past nine years, focused on unlocking potential and leading improvement.

Hannah is a member of Chemistry Australia’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Council where, alongside her colleagues, she has contributed her voice to ELAC’s advisory role to the Chemistry Australia Board on strategic risks, opportunities and initiatives. 

Hall of Fame

Ian Hansen, CEO, Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers

Alongside his a 40-year career at Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers (WesCEF), Ian has served more than 16 years as a member of the Chemistry Australia Board and several years as Chair of the Finance and Risk Management Committee, making a significant contribution to the association’s Board, governance and strategy work.

During his career, Ian has held a wide range of operational and commercial management roles, including executive roles in both the chemicals and fertilisers business, with responsibility for the activities of ammonia, ammonium nitrate, sodium cyanide and industrial chemicals businesses, as well as fertiliser sales, distribution, supply chain and manufacturing.

Ian is a highly respected and experienced leader within the industry.  He is widely known for his balanced and calm approach to key issues, and his roles within Chemistry Australia. The Hall of Fame award acknowledges Ian’s ability to manage the significant scope of work of WesCEF businesses, while driving considerable emissions reductions, and striving to invest in new applications such as Lithium and carbon capture and storage technologies.  All while actively supporting and developing the people within his organisation.

Please note: images are available upon request.  Please contact Shayna Welsh at  or 0448 660 443