At Chillventa 2026 in Nuremberg, Hauser, part of the Epta Group, presented ecoFusion, a modular propane (R290) subcooler designed to support the efficient and stable operation of transcritical CO2 (R744) rack systems even in extremely hot ambient conditions (up to 50°C/122°F).
Hauser displayed the ecoFusion at the booth it shared with Epta at Chillventa for the first time since the acquisition by Epta in February. Hauser had introduced ecoFusion at Euroshop in Dusseldorf in February.
The ecoFusion subcooler arrives at a time when heat waves have been sweeping many parts of Europe and elsewhere in the world. But properly designed transcritical CO2 systems have been able to function properly in spite of the high ambient conditions, stakeholders reported.
Developed in cooperation with Graz University of Technology, ecoFusion is delivered pre-charged and pre-configured with less than 150g of R290 per circuit. As a result, the system requires no special installation conditions and can be integrated as a plug-and-play solution for new and existing systems at different capacity requirements, said Hauser. Available in 12kW and 24kW (3.4 and 6.8TR) sizes, the units can be combined as needed.
The ecoFusion subcooler complements Epta’s FTE 3.0 (Full Transcritical Efficiency) and ETE (Extreme Temperature Efficiency) systems. These solutions optimize power pack performance at temperatures above 40°C (104°F) and deliver estimated energy savings of between 15% and 23%, Epta reported.
The ecoFusion integrated with the ETE system would be a good approach to installations in the Middle East, according to Hauser executives at Chillventa.
Extending Epta’s reach
Epta finalized its acquisition of Hauser in February 2026, adding Hauser’s strength in the industrial refrigeration/cold storage sector to complement Epta’s experience in the commercial sector, both companies emphasizing natural refrigerants.
“The integration of Hauser into the Epta Group represents a significant step forward in the evolution of the company’s value proposition, creating a more comprehensive platform for supporting clients,” said Aurélien Tissot, Epta Group Marketing SR Director. Solutions now cover plug-in and convenience-store equipment, remote systems, supermarkets, warehouses, cold storage and food production.
At Chillventa 2026, the joint booth showcased the Hauser XL Rack for industrial refrigeration applications in food production, storage facilities, logistics and distribution centers. It featured a 260kW (74TR) food-production pack with an low-temperature evaporating temperature of -45°C (-49°F) designed to cool food from 40°C to -20°C (-4°F).
The integration of Hauser into the Epta Group represents a significant step forward in the evolution of the company’s value proposition.
Aurélien Tissot, Epta Group Marketing SR Director
Manufactured in Austria, the XL rack incorporates more than ten years of experience with transcritical CO₂ technology, said Hauser. It offers frame lengths of up to 12m, expandable modules and numerous configuration options, as well as variable-speed compressors.
Also shown at Chillventra was MyEpta, a new all-in-one digital platform designed to simplify the management of information, assets and services. MyEpta provides a single gateway to all technical data, support resources and services, said Epta, adding, “It gives users access to accurate information and a complete, real-time view of their refrigeration solutions, without the need for connectivity, enabling more effective planning of maintenance activities and future investments.”
The Epta/Hauser booth also demonstrated the HAUSER WRG Module, which facilitates the use of heat generated during the refrigeration process. The WRG module presented at Chillventa is individually tailored to each refrigeration system and can be flexibly integrated into a wide range of projects thanks to its modular design, said Hauser.
