Following its debut at the IAA show last September, Netto Marken-Discount began a three-year technology field trial of Carrier Transicold's natural refrigerant trailer prototype, the first unit to use carbon dioxide (CO2) refrigerant in mainland Europe. The unit was delivered to Netto by Carrier Transicold Germany, which operates as Carrier Transicold Deutschland GmbH, a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.
The CO2 trailer unit prototype is in use Mondays through Fridays in a two-shift operation, distributing goods from a central warehouse in Ponholz to Netto-subsidiaries in the area.
"Our test with the Carrier CO2 trailer prototype unit has started successfully," said Christina Stylianou, head of corporate communication, Netto Marken-Discount. "Our drivers confirm that operating this unit is quite similar to conventional refrigeration units. We are eagerly waiting for the high and busy season during which we will continue to monitor the unit’s efficiency levels.".
Netto stores feature one of the largest produce selections among discount stores in Germany
"By testing the prototype, Netto is taking a step closer to achieving its own ambitious environmental goals," Stylianou said.
The test also marks the beginning of a new era for Carrier Transicold, a leader in transport refrigeration.
"Delivering a dedicated natural refrigerant trailer prototype into service marks a huge milestone in the development of over-the-road refrigeration using CO2," said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems. "Our ultimate vision is to see temperature-controlled units running on natural refrigerant in mainstream production.Today, with the support of Netto, we are one step closer."
The prototype is one of the first refrigeration units to use a natural refrigerant, CO2 in a closed-loop system. It uses advanced technology from Carrier Transicold's NaturaLINE® container refrigeration system, assembled inside a traditional Vector unit chassis and powered by the same patented E-Drive all-electric technology as the existing Vector range. Carrier Transicold has chosen to use the natural refrigerant CO2 because it is a safe, non-ozone depleting gas with a global warming potential (GWP) of one, making it the baseline against which all other refrigerants are measured.
For this innovation, Carrier Transicold was recognized with the Trailer Innovation Award in the environment category at the IAA Show in 2016.
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