International. Daikin company announced that will launch a new VRV range with R-744 (CO2) refrigerant initially in several European markets.
"This reflects Daikin's effort to be at the forefront of developing solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of its systems, anticipating and supporting legislation. This includes the revision of ENER Lot 21, as many in the industry call for increases in seasonal efficiency requirements, as well as changes in F-gases that are driving the industry towards natural refrigerants," the manufacturer noted.
R-744 (CO2) refrigerant has many advantages. CO2 is a natural refrigerant classified as non-flammable (A1) according to ISO817 and, with a GWP value of 1, has a very low Global Warming Potential.
R-32 VRV5 refrigerant remains the best solution for most commercial and industrial applications, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. However, with both refrigerant options, R-32 and CO2, Daikin will be able to provide solutions for all commercial applications.
Decarbonising the construction sector
Commenting on the announcement, Steve Molloy, Daikin's Sustainability and Business Solutions Manager, said: "We know there is a growing demand for CO2 refrigerants in the UK. Our new product range will help meet this demand and clearly demonstrates how Daikin is leading this ever-evolving market. At this stage of its development, the R-744 will not be suitable for all applications and we will continue to offer our full range of R-32 solutions."
Similarly, the executive emphasized that the launch of R-744 products at an early stage will allow the first users of the sector to access a cutting-edge product.
"At the same time, it will strengthen our expertise and help us develop a wider range of market-leading CO2 products in the future. The decarbonization of the construction sector requires flexible refrigerant options due to varying application challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Daikin's strategy is to select the best refrigerant for each application, balancing four key factors: safety, energy efficiency, environmental impact, and cost throughout a product's entire lifecycle. Daikin's introduction of the first CO2 VRV unit, in addition to our VRV R-32 range, reaffirms our commitment to the decarbonization of commercial buildings," he added.
VRV: Proven low-carbon technology
The addition of CO2 to Daikin's broad portfolio of VRV solutions diversifies the options in the market and lays the foundation for future developments. It is designed for specific decarbonization initiatives, such as supermarkets and retail establishments, and focuses on heating and cooling systems that require the use of natural refrigerants.
"We are committed to developing VRV systems that offer the flexibility of choice for any type of commercial building, while maintaining a clear focus on energy efficiency, global warming potential, legislation and building trends. This CO2 VRV innovation is the next step in delivering solutions with a lower climate impact over their lifetime," said Molloy.
To date, VRV technology has contributed to saving significant amounts of CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuel heating solutions. With both refrigerant options, R-32 and CO2, Daikin will be able to provide solutions for all commercial applications.
Daikin will soon begin training and educating its network to support the adoption of this new technology for specific relevant projects.
