Market news, 23 July 2024
BITZER UK has supplied its 300th carbon dioxide-based refrigeration compressor for installationin Aldi UK’s Stores.The milestone was reached following a recent delivery of the manufacturer’sprovensemi-hermetic CO2 units to ALDI’s refrigeration pack builder,Clade Engineering Services, which works closely with installation sister companyA1 Engineering Services on the retailer’s refrigeration systems.
Aldi committed to installing natural refrigerants across all of its stores more than a year ago. CO2 has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just one,significantly under the maximum GWP of 150 stipulated by the EU F-gas regulations, which will be in effect by 2030.
Kevin Glass, Managing Director of BITZER UK, said: “With low maintenance requirements, excellent efficiency and an outstanding safety record, A1 Engineering’s Aldi carbon dioxide packs based on BITZER compressors provide a rock-solid solution that is not only good for the environment but highly cost-effective over the life-time of plant.”
He added: “Importantly, it is also immune from the constantly moving goal-posts under F-Gas Regulations and effectively future-proofs retailers from changes in environmental legislation.”
Aldi is using a combination of standard and inverter-driven compressors for enhanced control and energy efficiency, based on BITZER’s own Varispeed system, which is designed to maximise performance and efficiency in this application.
The carbon dioxide packs are being used both as retrofit systems to replace HFC refrigeration plant in existing stores as part of a rolling programme, and as original cooling plant in new stores.
Richard Conway, Corporate Property Director at Aldi UK, said: “Using natural refrigerants is reducing our impact on the environment even further, whilst also assuring our stores are future-proofed for years to come.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Bitzer on the replacement and upgrade programme over the coming year.”
