Yokorei Announces New Logistics Center in Nagaoka With an Ammonia/CO₂ Refrigeration System

Japanese refrigerated warehouse operator Yokorei  has announced the construction of the Nagaoka Logistics Center in Nagaoka City, Japan, with a total capacity of 27,272 metric tons that uses Mayekawa’s NewTon ammonia (R717) and CO₂(R744) system for freezing and refrigeration.

The NewTon system operates by using ammonia as the primary refrigerant within the machine room, while CO₂ serves as the secondary refrigerant, circulating through the cold storage areas. The Nagaoka Logistics Center will have 23,641 metric tons of frozen storage space and 1,174 metric tons of capacity for chilled goods. There will be 2,457 metric tons of capacity in the facility’s utility zone.

In addition, the logistics center will use non-fluorocarbon (FCF) insulating materials to avoid emissions that could contribute to global warming or ozone depletion.

Design details: The new logistics center will span 21,250m2 (228,733ft2) with a total floor area of 21,869m² (235,396ft²).

• The design integrates refrigeration and energy management systems to ensure precise temperature control and energy-efficient operations throughout the center.
• The building layout includes flexible utility zones on multiple floors, allowing the facility to accommodate diverse cargo handling and storage needs. 
• The facility is currently under construction and is expected to be completed and operational by summer 2026.

Additional cooling technologies: In addition to the primary refrigeration system, the Nagaoka Logistics Center incorporates several advanced cooling technologies to enhance temperature control and ensure the protection of stored goods. These technologies work in tandem with the main system to maintain consistent indoor temperatures throughout the facility.

• A positive-pressure desiccant air-conditioning system aims to control humidity levels and prevent condensation.
• A natural convection cooling system (SITREE II) is installed on the second floor to maintain a stable temperature without forced airflow.

Cold storage in Japan: Cold storage companies in Japan are increasingly turning to natural refrigerants like ammonia and CO₂ to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining high refrigeration system performance.

• Frigo Sakishima Center: Frigo’s Sakishima distribution center in Osaka, equipped with a CO₂ refrigeration system, uses 48% less energy than the 2030 target set by the Japan Association of Refrigeration Warehouses. The center uses heat recovery for dehumidification, defrosting and hot water production.
• Panasonic’s CO₂ systems in Sendai: Panasonic supplied 10 of its 80 transcritical CO₂ rack-based booster systems, 15 20HP and two 15HP CO₂ condensing units to Japan’s largest cold storage facility in Sendai. The 31,000m² (333,700ft²) facility opened last year and houses a food wholesale business and a warehousing business with different temperature zones across its seven floors.

Quotable: “While considering future concepts, we were approached by a logistics company about the 2024 problem, which highlighted a shortage of collection and distribution points for goods in the Niigata-Hokuriku area,” said Toshio Yoshikawa, Chairman and Director of Yokorei. “With the opening of Nagaoka Junction, we decided to focus on Nagaoka to address the lack of refrigerated warehouses in the area.”