Epta has unveiled UNIT, the first Iarp-branded refrigerated display case developed entirely under circular economy principles. The launch marks a shift in commercial refrigeration toward models that prioritise sustainability and product lifecycle extension.
According to the company, UNIT is designed to reduce environmental impact by enabling modularity, repairability and recyclability. The model aligns with Epta’s strategic approach of “Use Better, Use Longer, Use Again”, which focuses on energy efficiency, component longevity, and reuse at end-of-life.
UNIT includes remote monitoring and energy management through IoT technologies. The equipment is built with a modular structure that supports disassembly and repair, including a cassette and handle system for easy access to components like the compressor. Fewer overall parts and multifunctional structural elements further reduce complexity.
Materials used in UNIT include natural cork insulation and recycled plastics. Epta states that all components are chosen to support recyclability and reduce lifecycle environmental impact. The system uses isobutane R600a as the refrigerant, which has an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of zero and a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of three.
“UNIT, industrialised for the first time, embodies the ‘from cradle to grave’ approach, where modularity, material recyclability and energy efficiency come together under the banner of the 4Rs: Reuse, Repair, Recondition, Recycle,” said Norman Sarabelli, Iarp Product Marketing Manager.
Epta notes that this development forms part of a wider strategy to apply circular principles across its portfolio, with further initiatives to be showcased at Euroshop 2026.