Retailer tests innovative CO2 cooling technology

Netto Marken-Discount is working consistently to further reduce its own ecological footprint along its supply chain. As a pioneer in the German food trade, the company has been testing a lorry with particularly innovative CO2 cooling technology since the end of 2016. Since then, the truck has been used by various branches in the daily operations within the Netto vehicle fleet - as of recently by the Netto branch in Hodenhagen. From there, over the coming months the vehicle will daily supply several of the roughly 290 Netto branches in Niedersachsen, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, which are supplied from Hodenhagen. The truck not only ensures optimum local supply for all net customers in the region, but is also environmentally friendly and provides valuable insights into the further development of this forward-looking CO2 cooling technology.

Netto Marken-Discount is the first company in Germany to use a CO2 trailer aggregate from the manufacturer Carrier Transicold for its truck fleet since October 2016. What is special about it, is that the test unit is one of the first in the world to use only the natural gas CO2 as refrigerant in a closed circuit. This will not cause any adverse effects on the environment.

"Right from the start, we were very interested in the potential of this pilot project to achieve our environmental and sustainability goals. After more than a year, we can now say that the test results from the past practical experiences of the various Netto branches are very promising," says Stefanie Adler, Corporate Communications of Netto Marken-Discount.

David Appel, President of Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems, is also convinced of the usefulness of the cooperation: "The delivery of these first trailer units with natural refrigerants represents a significant milestone in the development of CO2-powered road transport refrigeration systems. We intend all transport refrigeration systems in the future to operate with natural refrigerants. Now we have come a great deal closer to this goal with the support of a large German food discounter.”

Netto Marken-Discount has been successfully improving its energy balance for many years through the consistent use of environmentally friendly technologies. In new branches, efficient heating systems with heat recovery, demand-oriented ventilation systems, optimized thermal insulation and energy-saving LED lamps will be implemented.

Source: Netto