CO2 – Market trends
Data gathered the most recent market analyses indicates that the use of CO2 in commercial refrigeration has seen a considerable increase compared to 2020. More and more OEMs now prefer to use this new type of refrigerant in their shops, especially supermarkets.
Despite delays in the delivery of orders and difficulties sourcing components necessary to build transcritical cycle systems (partly due to the global pandemic), this successful trend continues and looks set to do so for the foreseeable future.
CO2 and natural refrigerants: why they make sense
The success of natural refrigerants (especially CO2) in the retail sector is confirmed by the data presented in an article in Zerosottozero (link here). The report highlights how it is mainly Europe driving the technological revolution regarding the adoption of low GWP substances.
In March 2021, around 40,000 transcritical system applications were registered, with a 14.1% share of the European market. While in Japan these solutions are gradually becoming more popular with 7.4% of that market, only a marginal increase has been recorded in the United States, with a mere 0.4% share.
The use of CO2 as a refrigerant is still a source of consternation, but its positive effects are clear: compared to is higher initial cost, its operational cost is low, which (in the long term) can lead to substantial financial savings.
The Covid-19 pandemic has also led to some significant changes, such as the need for small shops to maintain an online presence if they are to remain competitive. This has led to the adoption of more practical, less expensive industrial refrigeration systems for suppliers and similar, smaller scale solutions for retail.
The entire cold sector is gradually recognising the potential applications and undeniable advantages of switching to natural refrigerants. Thanks to the positive reaction to solutions tried out during the recent heath crisis, this trend is not expected to change any time soon.
Difficulties with transcritical cycle systems
Despite some encouraging results, CO2 continues to face some technical difficulties; while on the one hand it has been demonstrated that new supermarkets with transcritical cycle systems can benefit from their increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact, on the other hand it is well-known that converting old systems to carbon dioxide is no easy task.
In order to appreciate the significance of this, we should consider that for every new generation retail refrigeration system, there are another 20 which still run on high GWP refrigerants, most of which have many years of service left in them and a potential to pollute which will continue to be a problem for many years to come.
Some cold industry companies are focusing on this theme, speaking up to highlight the need for governments to take concrete action. Their proposal is to create national plans and introduce ad hoc measures to incentivise businesses who are planning to make this generational leap.
Such support would undoubtedly favour the implementation of transcritical systems, so as to limit environmentally damaging emissions. Among the supporters of this initiative are many large international companies, as well as several Italian firms.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
