Hussman Releases 20HP Transcritical CO₂ Condensing Unit in Australia

Hussmann, a Panasonic subsidiary, has released a 20HP transcritical CO₂ (R744) outdoor condensing unit (OCU) in Australia.

The larger unit, launched by Panasonic in Europe one year ago, extends the company’s CO₂ lineup in Australia, which includes 2HP, 4HP and 10HP OCUs. The line supports food retail and process cooling applications, including chilled and frozen display cases, blast chillers, freezers and walk-in cold rooms.

“The launch of our 20HP unit marks a significant milestone in our mission to promote the use of natural refrigerants,” said Vinney Kumar, Deputy Managing Director, General Manager Australia and Business Development Director at Hussmann Oceania. “It allows Hussmann to expand its product portfolio, meeting the growing demand for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly refrigeration options.”

The demand for natural refrigerant equipment continues to rise in the country due to recent policies by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) aimed at banning high GWP refrigerants, including the widely used R404A with a 100-year GWP of 4,728. Starting in July, the DCCEEW will ban the sale of new equipment with a GWP greater than 2,500, followed by servicing restrictions in 2027 and 2029.

OCU details: According to Hussmann, Panasonic’s CO₂ OCUs allow connection to an “unlimited number of evaporators and display cases,” with outlet temperatures from −45 to −5°C (−49 to 23°F).

• The units, designed with inverter-driven technology, provide “energy-efficient” operation in ambient temperatures from −20 to 45°C (−4 to 113°F).
• An extended pipe run on the 20HP unit offers installment flexibility.
• “The low-noise nighttime operation mode [of the new unit] makes it particularly suitable for convenience stores in residential areas,” Hussman said.

Release response: “Customers indicate that [the 20HP unit] is one of the most sought-after products in the market due to its energy efficiency and environmentally friendly attributes,” Kumar told NaturalRefrigerants.com.

• According to Hussmann, the initial cost and the lack of training remain barriers to the rapid uptake of CO₂ technology in Australia.
• The company’s McAlpine team has installed roughly 100 Panasonic CO₂ OCUs in New Zealand.
• In partnership with Panasonic, Hussmann reports the installation of over 25,000 CO₂ OCUs globally.

Panasonic celebrates NatRefs: In its fifth Edition of the Panasonic Pro Awards, the company has added a Best Natural Refrigerant Project award category.

• The contest highlights the top HVAC&R projects in Europe that implemented Panasonic sustainable solutions between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024.
• The submission deadline is March 28, with winners announced this summer.

Quotable: “Transitioning directly to CO₂ or R290 [propane] avoids the costs and complications of switching to multiple interim refrigerants,” Hussman said in a press release targeted at Australian supermarkets. “Panasonic’s transcritical CO₂ condensing units are designed for energy savings and long-term sustainability, [which] ensures staying ahead of regulatory changes and reduces your carbon footprint.”