International. Nearly two-thirds of large supermarkets surveyed in Northern and Western European countries now use natural refrigerants in their stores, according to a report published by Carrier Commercial Refrigeration. The research finds that this trend is being driven by industry-wide sustainability policies that are outpacing European Union legislation.
The study, developed in collaboration with Shecco, seeks to provide a clear picture of the key factors pros and cons of adopting sustainable refrigeration options and refrigerants, and the effects of legislation.
This analysis of the majority of large food retailers in Germany, France, Denmark, Norway and the UK found that 65% of respondents had started implementing natural refrigerant technology in their stores. Driven by a combination of market and political influences and technological advancements, the shift to natural refrigerants has strengthened the position of many retailers in relation to the recently revised European Union F-Gas Regulation, which imposes a phase-out scheme and restrictions on the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC Refrigerants).
"This research reflects the change we have observed across the industry over the past two years," said Thierry Jomard, president of Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Europe. "What we are seeing today is a point of intersection between legislation and increasing acceptance of how natural refrigerant technologies can contribute to global carbon footprint reduction targets and increased energy efficiency."
According to the study, one of the main drivers of the shift to natural refrigerants is due to the growing awareness of the relationship between reduced carbon footprint and success in retail businesses. Respondents across all territories in the study rank carbon footprint reduction as "important."
