Retailers opt for natural refrigerants

Several of the UK's leading supermarkets now believe that only natural refrigerants such as CO₂ will have a long-term future, according to latest presentations at the RAC07 Exhibition. This statement could also encourage other sectors to decide for CO₂ technology soon.

Speaking at the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Exhibition 2007, senior representatives of ASDA, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose emphasized that a further use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in commercial refrigeration was incompatible with increasing concerns over climate change. Given the legislative uncertainty by the forthcoming F-Gases regulation in the EU and the industry's environmental responsibility, the long-term viability of the high global warming working fluid is no longer secured.

The leading industry players will now invest in refrigeration systems based on natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide or hydrocarbons. The innovative sub- and transcritical formats working with CO₂ technology will be environmentally friendly, highly reliable and at least as cost-efficient as current systems. The retailers ask for the support from suppliers to introduce next-generation systems as soon as possible.

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"We cannot invest in technology with an expected life span of 20 years or more, when there is such a high degree of uncertainty over the long-term future of HFCs," said Bob Arthur of Marks & Spencer, speaking on behalf of the industry group.

"Given the importance and scale of these investments to our business, we cannot expose ourselves to the risk," he added.

Marks & Spencer's "eco store" features CO₂ refrigeration

As part of its £200 million plan to become carbon neutral by 2012, the retailer will create its first "eco store" to reduce its carbon footprint. Actions will focus on improving the energy efficiency of the refrigeration system, including the piloting of a R744 (CO₂) system.

More HVAC news on R744.com

In the coming months R744.com will widen its range of applications for CO₂ technology to include latest developments on hot water heat pumps, commercial refrigeration, and other stationary applications.