Copeland Named Winner of 2026 AHR Expo Innovation Award in Refrigeration Category

U.S. component manufacturer Copeland has been named the winner of the 2026 AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) Innovation Award in the refrigeration category for its transcritical CO₂ (R744) scroll compressors with dynamic vapor injection (DVI) technology.

AHR Expo announced winners in 10 industry categories, including refrigeration, cooling and heating. Copeland also won in the heating category for its heating-optimized modulating vapor injection portfolio. At the AHR Expo, scheduled for February 2–4, 2026, in Las Vegas, one overall 2026 Product of the Year winner, selected from the 10 category winners, will be announced. All category-winning systems will be showcased at the event.

Funds collected from the entry fees in the awards competition are donated to programming for students, including field trips to the AHR Expo, curated introductions to professionals and manufacturers, equipment for hands-on learning in school laboratories and monetary donations to student programs in Las Vegas.

For small stores

Copeland’s transcritical CO₂ scroll compressors are designed for medium-temperature, distributed CO₂ refrigeration in small supermarkets and convenience stores. They feature dynamic vapor injection technology, which enhances efficiency and simplifies design, said the announcement. Copeland also offers low-temperature subcritical CO₂ scroll compressors.

For example, the ZTI scroll compressor is designed for use in transcritical CO₂ medium-temperature refrigeration systems, with a standstill pressure of 110bar (1,595psi) and capacities from 7.7 to 18.6kW (2.2 to 5.3TR).

According to Copeland, its CO₂ scroll compressors “reduce both investment and operational costs, lowering total cost of ownership significantly compared to traditional compression technology.” In addition, the compressors, which are available in fixed and variable speed, “enable a new way to manage flash gas that erases the need for parallel compression,” the company said.

 Dorin USA was a finalist in the refrigeration category for its CD700 Range of CO₂ transcritical compressors. The 8-cylinder compressors feature motors up to 180HP and displacement up to 100m³/h (3,531ft³/h).

Copeland’s CO₂ scroll compressors “enable a new way to manage flash gas that erases the need for parallel compression.”

Copeland