Bluu unit, a European alliance of HVAC&R contractors dedicated to promoting the use of natural refrigerants, continues to expand its network with the acquisition of the Irish company Tech Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Tech RAC).
As of November 2025, bluu unit, backed by private equity firm Triton, consisted of more than 27 German and Swiss contractors. The Irish acquisition represents the alliance’s first expansion outside of the Central Europe region. Tech RAC specializes in natural refrigerant solutions, including CO2 (R744) systems, for commercial and industrial applications.
“What truly distinguishes [Tech RAC] is its strong focus on highly qualified professionals, natural refrigerants and the highest standards of excellence,” bluu unit said. “This aligns perfectly with [our] strategic direction and value-driven approach and forms a strong foundation for close co-operation and joint development.”
Aims/benefits: With the acquisition, bluu unit strengthens its presence in “one of Europe’s most dynamic markets,” while advancing its natural refrigerant expertise in another country, according to Triton.
- The alliance also aims to expand its data center solution capabilities, with Dublin emerging as a pivotal global hub due to its location and highly skilled workforce.
- Joining bluu unit is a strategic decision for sustainable growth, according to Vincent Weldon, Joint Managing Director of Tech RAC, with the alliance’s partnership-driven approach allowing contractors to remain independent.
Tech RAC: The Dublin-based company, founded in 1995, designs, installs, commissions and maintains HVAC&R equipment for numerous applications, including cold-storage logistics, data centers, educational facilities, food processing, hospitality, retail and pharmaceuticals.
- In a 2020 retrofit of Nolan’s supermarket in Clontarf, just outside of Dublin, Tech RAC installed a Clade UK CO2 system, with heat reclaim providing 80kW (22.7TR) of heating capacity. The project marked the first use of Panasonic CO2 condensing units in Ireland, with the units supporting satellite fridges.
- “Complex systems require maximum operational reliability and deep technical expertise,” said Jim Weldon, Joint Managing Director at Tech RAC. Working with bluu unit will enhance our services in Ireland and create international opportunities, he added.
Alliance impact: Since its founding in January 2024, bluu unit has generated over €240 million ($278 million) in sales and completed more than 10,000 projects, according to Nicolo Freyberg, Managing Director of bluu unit. He outlined the alliance’s success in a presentation at ATMO Europe 2025. The event, organized by ATMOsphere, the publisher of NaturalRefrigerants.com, took place November 24–25 in Padua, Italy.
- When companies join the alliance, they might not use 100% natural refrigerants, but they understand that this is where the market is going, according to Freyber.
- Core elements of bluu unit’s work include natural refrigerant training, knowledge transfer and collaborative project delivery, bringing together less experienced companies with more advanced partners.
Quotable: “With Tech Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, a powerful combination is created: locally established service strength combined with the advanced technological expertise of the entire alliance,” said bluu unit. “[The acquisition] marks another decisive step on [our] path towards becoming a leading pan-European provider of high-quality, future-proof solutions in refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and data center technologies.”
“What truly distinguishes [Tech RAC] is its strong focus on highly qualified professionals, natural refrigerants and the highest standards of excellence.”
bluu unit
