Honeywell announced that Ortolan, a wholesale fruit distributor, is using Honeywell’s Solstice L40X (R-455A) refrigerant in its new state-of-the-art storage warehouse in Marmande, southwest France. The warehouse plays an important role in the delivery of fresh fruit such as apples, pears and kiwi fruit for the European market and beyond.
The application of Solstice L40X enables Ortolan to meet strict F-Gas environmental regulations and delivers the performance it requires at the lowest possible global warming potential (GWP), supporting the company’s environmental vision for the site.
“Operating in the fresh fruit market, we feel a strong connection with the environment, so being able to use a refrigerant that is more eco-friendly and energy efficient, while delivering the level of performance we require, makes good sense on every level,” said Jean-Pierre Piazza, technical manager, Ortolan.
Solstice L40X was recommended to Ortolan by Quercy Refrigeration, a provider of sustainable refrigeration solutions, following consultation with Climalife, its refrigerant distributor and a Honeywell partner. Quercy, which designed the new warehouse’s refrigeration system, felt that Solstice L40X offered higher energy efficiency than alternative solutions, enabling a rapid cooling cycle, and that it also presented a low flammability risk that allowed a higher refrigerant charge.
“Solstice L40X is ideal for fresh and sensitive product applications where environmental considerations are increasingly important,” said Julien Soulet, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Fluorine Products Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. “For Ortolan, the solution offers a compelling total cost of ownership proposition, while fulfilling sustainability objectives and full compliance with regulations.
Solstice L40X (R-455A) is a mildly flammable, zeotropic blend that serves as an alternative for low-, medium- and high-temperature applications in new systems. Its low GWP of 146 (IPCC AR5) makes it F-Gas compliant and ideal for commercial and industrial refrigeration applications, including condensing units, water loop systems, plug-in cabinets, monoblocks for cold rooms, heat pumps and chillers.