Ralph’s Supermercado y Mayorista has unveiled Puerto Rico’s first supermarket entirely reliant on CO2 (R744) refrigeration technology. The store, located in San Juan within a repurposed K-Mart building, officially opened in December 2024.
The initiative stems from the vision of Jose Soto, President of Ralph’s Supermercado y Mayorista, who sought a sustainable refrigeration solution tailored to the island’s unique challenges, including high temperatures, humidity, and frequent power instability.
The installation, led by Hillphoenix and local dealer Triple S International, features CO2 refrigeration systems, display cases, and a PowerWall distribution and control system. This marks the first time a food retailer on the island has adopted CO2 technology.
The store operates with two mechanical CO2 systems. One is dedicated to medium-temperature applications, while the other supports both low- and medium-temperature refrigeration. Hillphoenix played a pivotal role by providing engineering expertise and comprehensive training for the system’s installation, startup, and commissioning.
This project demonstrates a significant step forward in sustainable refrigeration for Puerto Rico, offering a robust response to the island’s environmental and operational challenges.