The Spanish OEM is currently field testing a 30kW model of its iCOOL CO2 product range in Europe, with plans to develop a 58.6kW unit.
Kyodo Suisan Ryutsu replaced its aging R22 refrigeration system with CO2 condensing units.
With dramatically improved technology, there is ‘no longer an excuse’ not to adopt CO2 refrigeration in hotter climates, according to Panasonic’s Benjamin Tissot.
The systems were installed at the 31,000m2 (333,700ft2) cold storage and logistics facility in Sendai.
The units employ two-stage rotary compressors to operate efficiently in temperatures up to and beyond 43°C (109.4°F).
The ‘Service Checker’ device enables end users to access the performance data of commercial refrigeration units.
Its largest transcritical inverter unit with fully hermetic compressors will be commercially available in Europe next year.
The State of the Industry report used a survey of OEMs to approximate the size of the CO2, hydrocarbons and ammonia markets in Europe.
From bottle coolers to refrigerated containers and even mobile air-conditioning, functional CO2 prototypes show the potential for widespread replacement of HFC systems without compromising on cost or efficiency.
By the end of 2022, the Japanese manufacturer expects to have sold around 100 condensing units across Australia and New Zealand in partnership with McAlpine Hussmann.
