The Philippines’ first transcritical CO2 (R744) refrigeration unit – manufactured by Japanese OEM Nihon Netsugen Systems – has been installed at the Cold Chain Innovation Hub (CCI-Hub) in Taguig City.
The F-model Super Green CO2 unit, which was commissioned on January 23, will provide 34kW (9.7TR) in cooling capacity for a walk-in cold room and the hub’s air-conditioning. It can refrigerate the cold room down to -25°C (-13°F).
The transcritical CO2 unit, cold room and air-conditioning system will be used for training and demonstration purposes at the hub.
Customized equipment for CCI-Hub
Nihon Netsugen’s Philippine partner, Cold Front Technologies Asia, installed the transcritical CO2 unit and assembled the custom-built cold room with support from the manufacturer.
To ensure easy access for demonstration and training at CCI-Hub, Cold Front also customized the Super Green CO2 unit with an open configuration.
In addition to the newly-installed transcritical CO2 refrigeration unit from Nihon Netsugen, the CCI-Hub is also showcasing several other R744-based equipment, including two outdoor condensing units by Panasonic, an evaporator by Güntner, a supermarket showcase by Hussmann and a 6m (20ft) ISO standard reefer container by Carrier Transicold, which is the world’s first natural refrigerant unit for container refrigeration, according to the hub.
Expansion into Southeast Asia
To meet the growing demand for natural refrigerants in Southeast Asia, Nihon Netsugen is working with local partners in Malaysia and the Philippines, explained the company’s President, Katsuhiko Harada, in an interview with R744.com.
This work includes supporting training and capacity-building in new markets, he added.
Marking this commitment, Harada also spoke at the CCI-Hub’s Future of the Industry Conference as a participant on the technology and innovation panel.
Improving the Philippines’ cold chain
The CCI-Hub serves as the centralized knowledge-sharing platform of the Global Partnership for Improving the Food Cold Chain in the Philippines (FCC) project. The hub is responsible for sharing technical resources, training and knowledge and facilitating stakeholder collaboration.
The FCC project’s goal to identify and encourage the development of low-carbon and energy-efficient refrigeration technologies and business practices throughout the Philippines’ food cold chain.
Through this work, it aims is to increase food safety and security across the country.
The FCC project is a collaboration between the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Global Environment Fund, TESDA and ATMOsphere (formerly shecco), publisher of R744.com.
