As part of an effort to educate companies and organizations in the Philippines about sustainable cold chain technologies, Carrier Transicold, part of U.S.-based Carrier, has donated a 20ft (6m)-long CO2 (R744) NaturaLINE refrigerated marine reefer unit to the Cold Chain Innovation Hub (CCI-Hub) in Manila.

The donation is intended to help companies learn how to identify and develop low-carbon-footprint, energy-efficient refrigeration practices within the cold chain of the Philippines (and beyond), according to a statement by Carrier.

The CCI-Hub is the official platform of the “Global Partnership for Improving the Food Cold Chain in the Philippines” project. It serves as the project’s central ecosystem for technical resources, training, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder collaboration. The project was established by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines (DENR) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

To date, more than 16 companies (including Carrier Transicold) have pledged to donate natural refrigerant-based technologies, knowledge and expertise to the CCI-Hub, including CO2 and propane (R290) refrigeration systems for the commercial, industrial, transport and post-harvest food cold chain sectors.

“In line with Carrier’s Healthy, Safe, Sustainable Cold Chain Program, we are pleased to donate a NaturaLINE refrigerated unit to educate companies and organizations in the Philippines on using a sustainable natural refrigerant like carbon dioxide with an ultra-low global warming potential instead of conventional synthetic refrigerants that may release harmful by-products when used,” said Tan Sooi Kuan, Director, Finance, Global Container Refrigeration, Carrier Transicold.

“We genuinely appreciate the donation from Carrier Transicold,” said Jan Dusek, Head of Global Partnership for the CCI-Hub, and Co-Founder, Group COO of ATMOsphere, publisher of this website. “Using their technology and systems as a teaching point will enable us to educate companies in the Philippines on sustainable technologies for perishables and pharmaceuticals. The NaturaLINE unit will help us raise awareness and increase knowledge on the use of energy-efficient, climate-friendly as well as natural refrigerant alternatives in the cold chain.”

Benefits of CO2

According to Carrier Transicold, NaturaLINE is “currently the most environmentally sustainable alternative for refrigerated marine transport.” It features:

  • Power consumption comparable to Carrier’s best-in-class performer and the industry’s best-selling unit for 15 years running;
  • Best-in-class carbon footprint;
  • No CO2 refrigerant tax; and
  • No intermediate refrigerant step.