Copeland to Collaborate on CO₂ Cold Chain Technology in South Korean Government Project

U.S.-based component manufacturer Copeland has announced its collaboration with South Korean commercial refrigeration manufacturer CRK to support the development of sustainable CO₂ (R744) cold chain technologies in the country as part of a “large-scale government project.”

Copeland provides subcritical and transcritical CO₂ solutions for commercial applications with scroll and semi-hermetic technologies, along with the associated controls and monitoring systems. Under its Vilter brand, the manufacturer started producing industrial CO₂ compressors using single-screw technology earlier this year.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding and will collaborate on the project – with CRK taking the lead role – to develop sustainable, low-temperature cold chain refrigeration systems. According to Copeland, South Korea plans to implement refrigerant regulations that extend to March 2028. This coincides with the country’s adherence to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to freeze the growth of HFC use in 2024 and reduce it by 10% by 2029.

“With this partnership, we will jointly develop innovative low global warming potential CO₂ refrigeration solutions to create a sustainable cold chain infrastructure,” said Sandeep Nair, President of Asia, Middle East and Africa for Copeland.

Collaborative knowledge: Copeland said it will share its technical expertise with CRK through education and training. In addition, the company will provide its integrated CO₂ compressors, controls and monitoring systems.

• Headquartered in Seoul, CRK manufactures commercial refrigeration systems, refrigerated display cases, ice makers, condensing units, mobile refrigeration units and air-conditioning units.

Refrigeration regulations: According to the South Korean Ministry of Environment, the country has a faster warming trend than the rest of the world, experiencing an average annual temperature rise of 0.18°C (0.32°F) every 10 years for the past century.

• As a party to the Paris Agreement, the country has action plans for different industries and sectors, including promoting green solutions to improve energy efficiency, especially in buildings.
• The earliest refrigerant conversions in the country focus on air conditioners and vehicles, with plans “to replicate the best solutions in other sectors by 2030,” according to the Ministry of Environment.

NatRefs in South Korea: The country’s uptake of natural refrigerant solutions is on the rise, with CO₂ solutions leading the way.

• In September 2023, the Korean branch of Italian OEM Arneg installed the first-ever transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system in South Korea in a new Nonghyup Hanaro Mart store. Compared to a similar store using R404A, the new store cut its annual electricity costs by 57%.
• In February 2023, Japan-based Itomic reported it had installed more than 500 CO₂ Eco Cute hot water heat pumps in South Korea.
• At the HARFKO 2019 Expo, Ireland-based Johnson Controls exhibited its YORK brand CO₂/ammonia (R717) modular package for the first time in South Korea, telling NaturalRefrigerants.com at that time that global regulations were driving end users in the country to consider natural refrigerant solutions.

Quotable: “Through this agreement, we will strengthen our expertise in refrigerant technology and focus on developing various eco-friendly products,” said Jaik Koo, Chief Executive Officer at CRK. “We will further solidify our position as the top cold chain solution company in Korea through continuous technology development and research.”