Relaxed rules make it easier for small- and medium-sized enterprises to take advantage of the project and cover up to half the construction costs.
Out of the 6,960 commercial and industrial facilities using transcritical CO2 systems in Japan, over 72% are convenience stores operated by Lawson.
He spearheaded the installation of transcritical CO2 condensing units in more than 4,000 Lawson convenience stores.
A major user of CO2 in Japan, Lawson employs both transcritical CO2 and hydrocarbon cooling at Shanghai store.
The freon-free store is the first to use hydrocarbon plug-in equipment, along with CO2 cases.
Japanese multinational retailer Lawson is aiming to install CO2 transcritical systems in over 4,000 convenience stores by 2020.
On 25 July 2017, the Japanese government eased restrictions on CO2 use. Japanese stakeholders believe this event signals a major shift in the perception of CO2 refrigeration systems and may soon lead to widespread new adoption in Japan.
ATMOsphere Japan 2017 demonstrated how businesses large and small are harnessing natural refrigerant-based systems to deliver economic benefits, address climate change and show environmental responsibility.
Participants in the first-ever ATMOsphere Japan conference heard how times are getting tougher for HFCs, creating new opportunities for natural refrigerants – and particularly CO2.
Market leaders Lawson and AEON are continuing with their ambitious natural refrigerant adoption plans despite the discontinuation of a Japanese Ministry of Environment subsidy for retailers in the fiscal year 2017.
