EuroShop 2014: Dramatic increase in hydrocarbons for small applications since 2011

From 16 – 20 February, more than 109,000 visitors traveled to Düsseldorf, Germany to attend EuroShop 2014, the world’s largest trade fair for retail. hydrocarbons21.com on-site reporters witnessed a massive presence of hydrocarbons solutions for food retail. Part two of our EuroShop reporting looks at small application of hydrocarbons on show.

Compared to EuroShop 2011, the presence of hydrocarbons as a viable solution in refrigeration was massive. In three years, there has been a significant progression from interest in the use of hydrocarbons to the widespread application of hydrocarbons. Throughout Halls 15, 16 and 17 of Düsseldorf Messe were a myriad of booths featuring hydrocarbons systems in all shapes and sizes to fit nearly any customer’s needs.

hydrocarbons21.com reporters suggested that the development of light commercial hydrocarbons applications such as bottle coolers, vending machines and ice cream displays was significant since EuroShop 2011. Several booths displayed products wielding the names of leading consumer goods brands, a sign that hydrocarbons are not only trusted as energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerants, but that they are a staple in the realm of refrigeration.

AHT: A representative of AHT stated that he felt that using hydrocarbons is currently the biggest trend in food retail. The vast number of systems on display using either R290 or R600a supported this statement. An assortment of bottle coolers, candy coolers and ice cream displays were on show in a variety of sizes and designs. Showcased at the booth was the Vento Flex, a plug-in multi-deck chiller designed to fit just about anywhere, making it an excellent solution for small format stores.

Carrier: A leader in providing CO₂ commercial refrigeration systems for supermarkets has taken another step toward offering natural refrigeration systems to fit a diverse panel of needs. Carrier presented a range of plug-in cabinets including bottle coolers, ice cream displays and other multipurpose chillers available in an assortment of shapes and sizes and suitable for small store application. The Presenter 0647, the Tulip TC 17, and the GD380 E, for example, are compact bottle coolers. Also on display were multi-purpose chillers, such as the Premor 1580 G and the Crystal COG33.

Arneg: New R290 products showcased at the booth included the Alya, the Arrow, the Eagle and the Evo, just to name a few. The coolers and chillers on display represented a range of sizes and designs ideal for small store application. Further, Arneg representatives confirmed that there has been an increase in interest in natural refrigeration solutions from Spain, due to the HFC taxes.

Crystal: A representative of Greek supplier Crystal noted the trend toward use of energy efficient and environmentally friendly refrigeration systems in the food retail industry, Furthermore, he affirmed a belief that the Balkans would soon move to use more natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons. Crystal works with Heineken and Mövenpick, among others, supplying light commercial bottle coolers and ice cream displays equipped with hydrocarbon refrigerants.

EPTA: A leading supplier of natural refrigeration solutions showcased a number of innovative hydrocarbons systems ideal for small store application. Included were the Slim Vertical LP, the Laser Plus and the Gemma 30.

Fricon: In addition to some larger applications on display, Fricon showcased a bottle cooler provided for Heineken that promises 80% less energy use. The slim cooler is perfectly sized for application in smaller stores.

Gastro-Cool: As a supplier of circa 10,000 systems worldwide per year, Gastro-Cool displayed an assortment of light commercial systems using R290 and R600a including checkout coolers and showcase coolers conveniently sized for smaller store formats.

ISA: While ISA typically focuses on plug-in CO₂ solutions, it did not come up short in terms of plug-in hydrocarbons solutions for small to medium sized stores. Products on show ranged from compact cake displays, such as the Panavision, to easy-to-move island chillers, for example, the Kalon.

JBG-2: A representative of the Polish company explained that the trek toward offering natural refrigerants in their products started in 2008, not only because of market demand, but because it’s the right thing to do for the environment. A number of compact island units marked with an “R290 – Green” label were on display at the booth, including the Fidzi LD Fxxx 07.

Mafirol: Portuguese Mafirol debuted its first hydrocarbons system at EuroShop 2014. The cabinet named Bartolomeu is a versatile unit that can be used either as a single entity to optimize space in a smaller store or combined in a row for use in supermarkets. A representative confirmed Mafirol’s wish to move toward using more natural refrigerants, especially hydrocarbons, as the low-cost, energy-saving refrigerants are a well-proven natural solution.

true: The booth showcased a number of natural refrigerant solutions for stores of all sizes. Notably, there were several conveniently compact bottle coolers using hydrocarbons on display, ideal for small store formats.

UGUR: Working with companies such as The Coca Cola Company, Rockstar Energy, Algida and Danone, Ugur displayed a number of compact units compatible with small store formats. The range of showcased products, including the USS 1000/1200, the USS 275 DTKCD and the UDD 100 SCEBN, incorporated ice cream displays and countertop, stand, and reach-in bottle and can coolers.