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Uzbekistan-based supermarket chain Korzinka has opened a distribution center in Surum using a CO2 (R744) rack with a total capacity of 1.8MW (511.8TR).
The 49,000m2 (527,4311ft2) warehouse is the largest Class A distribution center in Central Asia and is one of the most technologically advanced and reliable logistics facilities in the country, according to Korzinka. Class A refers to properties built specifically for logistics and warehousing that meet a number of standards referring to safety and adaptation, in terms both of storage and of facilities for employees.
The warehouse serves 184 stores across 12 regions of Uzbekistan. Korzinka plans to extend its logistics network to 600 stores across all 14 regions of Uzbekistan. It was financed with a long-term investment of $50 million (€44 million) from the DEG (German development finance institution) and the International Finance Corporation.
The system: The 1.8MW CO2 refrigeration system provides cooling for the freezer and cold storage units.
- The storage area offers four temperature zones ranging from −18°C to 25°C (−0 to 77°F).
- The zones are divided into freezer at −18°C, cold storage at 2 to 4°C (35 to 39°F), freshness zone 4 to 6°C/6 to 8°C (39 to 42°F/42 to 46°F), and ambient temperature 25°C.
- The frozen storage operates at temperatures from −23°C (−9°F) to −18°C with a cooling capacity of 200kW (56.8TR), and chilled storage operates from 0 to 20°C (32 to 36°F) with a cooling capacity of 1.6MW (454.9TR).
One among many: The contractor that installed the system, Russia-based Ingenium, told NaturalRefrigerants.com that it manufactures approximately 25 CO2 refrigeration systems annually.
- The equipment has been supplied to distribution centers and industrial facilities in Russia, Romania and Uzbekistan.
- Ingenium said it produces around 120 refrigeration units per year and that plans for a new plant will boost that figure to 300 units per year, including systems using CO2 and ammonia (R717).
Natural refrigerants in Uzbekistan: At the end of 2025, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Uzbekistan conducted a training session on air-conditioning and climate control systems, focusing on the properties of refrigerants and the energy-efficient use of natural refrigerants, as well as key challenges in heating and air-conditioning.
- A topic of discussion at the training was how ammonia can significantly improve system performance while reducing emissions
- In 2016, the UNDP issued a call for suppliers of low-charge ammonia chillers for a retrofit project at Tashkent’s largest hospital. The project sought to replace two chillers using R22 and more than 200 air conditioners.
- The two ammonia chillers selected for the project had a charge of 80kg each – half that of those they replaced – and provided a total cooling capacity of 1.7MW (481TR).
Quotable: “This center is a practical step that reinforces our consistent growth strategy and our ambition to remain market leaders,” said Zafar Khashimov, Founder of Korzinka, in a press release. “It will be the backbone for expanding our network, improving product availability and enhancing service quality for millions of our customers nationwide.”
This center is a practical step that reinforces our consistent growth strategy and our ambition to remain market leaders.
Zafar Khashimov
Founder, Korzinka
