ATMO Europe 2024 Honors Leaders in Natural Refrigerant Innovation with Prestigious Awards

At the ATMOsphere Europe Summit 2024, held in Prague, five standout innovators and organizations were celebrated for their contributions to advancing natural refrigerant-based cooling and heating systems. The ATMO Awards/Europe 2024 recognized excellence across five categories, spotlighting achievements in retail, industrial applications, and innovation, as well as honoring a key advocate for natural refrigerants.

Winners of the ATMO Europe 2024 Awards

Best-in-Sector Awards

• Retail End User: Migros Ticino

  • Swiss retailer Migros Ticino was awarded for its commitment to natural refrigerants, utilizing transcritical CO2 (R744) systems in 32 of its 33 supermarkets. By 2025, all its stores will integrate this technology, with 14 locations already featuring energy-efficient CO2 systems. The Bellinzona Nord store exemplifies sustainability by being 100% energy self-sufficient through photovoltaic panels.

• Industrial End User: Nestlé

  • Nestlé received recognition for its adoption of natural refrigerants since 1986, replacing high-GWP systems with CO2, ammonia, and hydrocarbons. The company’s use of ammonia heat pumps has pushed technological boundaries, achieving water temperatures of 90°C (194°F) and contributing to its zero-carbon goals at facilities like its headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland.

Innovation of the Year Awards

• Heat Pump: Fenagy

  • Fenagy was awarded for its high-temperature isobutane (R600a) heat pump, capable of delivering hot water up to 95°C (203°F) with exceptional efficiency. Designed for industrial processes and district heating, it is a flexible, water-to-water solution tailored to meet operational needs.

• Refrigeration: OLAB

  • OLAB earned recognition for its PFAS-free O-ring gaskets, made with EPDM material, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional PTFE gaskets in CO2 systems. These innovative gaskets enhance sustainability while maintaining leak-proof performance in critical HVAC&R components.

Person of the Year

• Michael Kauffeld
  • Professor Michael Kauffeld of Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences was honored for his nearly four-decade advocacy for natural refrigerants. A prolific researcher and co-editor of Natural Refrigerants: Applications and Practical Guidelines, Kauffeld has advanced understanding and adoption of sustainable HVAC&R technologies. His work continues to address industry challenges, including PFAS use, which he will discuss in a keynote presentation at the Summit.

Recognizing Excellence in Natural Refrigerants

The ATMO Awards/Europe underline the importance of innovation and dedication to sustainable technologies in the HVAC&R sector. Through their contributions, this year’s winners have demonstrated the transformative potential of natural refrigerants to reduce emissions, enhance efficiency, and support global sustainability goals.

For more information about the ATMOsphere Europe Summit and the winners, visit www.atmo.org.