Study Decodes Key Drivers For and Against Sustainable Refrigeration
COLOGNE, Germany — Almost two-thirds of large supermarkets surveyed in northern and western European countries now use natural refrigerants in their stores, according to a report issued by Carrier Commercial Refrigeration. The research finds this trend is being driven by industrywide sustainability policies that are outpacing EU legislation. The study, developed in partnership with market development company Shecco, seeks to provide a clear picture of the key drivers for and against the adoption of sustainable refrigeration and refrigerant options, and the effects of legislation.
The study of mostly large food retailers in Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, and the U.K. found 65 percent of respondents had begun to implement natural refrigerant technology in their stores. Fueled by a combination of market and policy influences and technology advances, the shift to natural refrigerants has strengthened the position of many retailers relative to the newly revised European Union F-gas Regulation, which imposes a phasedown scheme and restrictions on use of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants.