Increasing share of natural refrigerants in German supermarkets

In its first survey on the use of refrigerants in German supermarkets, the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) asked leading German retailers to indicate the refrigerants used in their stores and cold storage facilities. The results indicate increasing shares of natural refrigerants in German supermarkets. Nevertheless, the DUH is calling for a ban of HFC gases.

The DUH has conducted a survey on the use of refrigerants among 33 leading German retailers. Measures taken by retailers to implement climate friendly technologies and increase efficiency were also part of the survey. In total, 13 retailers took part, of which 7 completed the entire survey: Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Kaisers Tengelmann, Kaufland, Lekkerland, Lidl and Netto.

Natural refrigerants are gaining ground in German supermarkets

The results of the DUH survey indicate improvements in phasing out HFC’s in German supermarkets. The number of retailers already using natural refrigerant is growing according to the DUH results:

Kaufland: The number of natural refrigerants for LT is increasing, with CO₂ the standard refrigerant in all new stores. However, the share of natural refrigerants is still very low in the 630 Kaufland stores as CO₂ is only used in 1% of the MT chests and cabinets. CO₂ is used in 7% of the chests and cabinets for LT. Kaufland’s 6 distribution centres predominantly use ammonia.

Kaisers Tengelmann: Kaiser Tengelmann uses ammonia as the predominant refrigerant in its four distribution centres. In MT applications, none of Teneglmann’s 513 stores as yet uses natural refrigerants. In LT cabinets and chest cabinets, the refrigerant CO₂ has a share of 10%.

Lekkerland: Lekkerland is a wholesaler supplying beverages and food products to 61,400 kiosk, petrol stations, shops, beverage stores, department stores, supermarkets, bakeries and convenience stores. 71% of the company’s chest freezers use isobutane for MT. For LT refrigeration, Lekkerland uses isobutane in 66% of the chest refrigerators and propane in another 18%. 87% of its 15 distribution centres use ammonia for MT and 92% CO₂ for LT refrigeration.

Tegut, Metro Group, Rewe Group and Edeka: Since 2012, German retailer tegut is using CO2 compound refrigeration systems in all new and completely retrofitted stores. So far the company has 20 stores running on CO2. Metro Group uses natural refrigerants in all new stores and is already operating all of its 14 distribution centres with ammonia. Rewe Group has already 15,000 cabinets using natural refrigerants. At Edeka, almost all new or renovated stores use natural refrigerants.

Discounter retailers pave the way for natural refrigerants

Natural refrigerants in new installations are gaining ground. Almost all retailers participating in the DUH survey attach great importance to natural refrigerants, with discount retailers relying more and more on natural refrigerants for low temperature (LT) refrigeration. The share of natural refrigerants in LT systems is already higher than for HFC’s at German discount retailers.

Aldi Nord: Aldi Nord operates 2,428 stores and 35 distribution centres. In MT (medium temperature) refrigeration, 49% of the chest freezers use propane and 1% of the display cabinets CO₂. For LT (low temperature) 55% of the chest freezers use propane. A decision on whether to use of natural refrigerants in compound systems is still pending.

Aldi Süd: In southern Germany, Aldi operates 1,816 stores and 31 distribution centres. 97,6% of Aldi Süd’s distribution centres run on ammonia. Since 2010, all new stores use CO₂ compound refrigeration plants for MT and LT. Already 10,1% of their display cabinets (180 stores) use these CO₂ refrigeration systems. In addition, 79% of their chest freezers use propane for LT. In total, four out of five chest freezers (about 32,000) use natural refrigerants. The remaining 21% that currently use HFC’s will be replaced by 2017.

Lidl: Lidl, another leading German discount retailer, has 3,300 stores and more than 30 distribution centres in operation today. The natural refrigerant propane already has a share of 60-70% in MT and LT chest freezers and 3-5% in MT display cabinets. Two third of Lidl’s chest freezers already use natural refrigerants today. In addition, 30-40% of the distribution centres use propane and CO₂ for MT and LT.

Netto: In its 2 distribution centres, Netto uses 50% CO₂ for LT. In the 345 Netto stores, no natural refrigerants are used to date.

DUH calls for F-gas ban

The number of German retailers successfully phasing out HFC’s is promising. Nevertheless, the majority of display cabinets and chest freezers in German supermarkets still use climate depleting HFC’s. The annual leakage of R404A, causes the same damage to the environment as 1,8 million passenger cars. DUH concludes that the phase out of HFC’s is feasible and necessary, but depends on the right decisions are made. Therefore, DUH calls for:

Clear signals at the EU level for change: a ban of refrigerants with a GWP > 2,500 as of 2017 and a ban of new plants using these refrigerants as of 2020.

Clear rules regarding use of recycled refrigerants in existing plants: existing plants should only be allowed to be filled with new substances until 2017. After 2017, only recycled HFC’s can be used;