Italian component manufacturer Castel has said that it is targeting the growing demand for CO2 (R744)-based refrigeration in European and North American markets with some of its new components.
According to Alberto Buccianti, Regional Sales Manager at Castel, the company’s new 3-way motorized ball valve and high-pressure and flash-gas-bypass valve can help improve the efficiency and reliability of CO2 refrigeration systems. Both products were on display at the Chillventa 2024 trade show in Nuremberg, Germany, which took place October 8–11.
“Demand for CO2 refrigeration in supermarkets and cold rooms is growing,” Buccianti told NaturalRefrigerants.com in an interview at the exhibition. “We are seeing more and more interest in CO2 in the U.S. and expect to see significant growth over the coming years. HFCs are going down.”
“Demand for CO2 refrigeration in supermarkets and cold rooms is growing.”
Alberto Buccianti, Regional Sales Manager at Castel
While the U.S. market shows increasing interest in sustainable refrigeration solutions, Europe remains a key market for Castel, Buccianti added. Castel’s international presence extends to more than 100 countries, with branch offices in Dubai and China supporting its global footprint across five continents.
CO2 components
Castel’s comprehensive range of R744 components is designed for both transcritical and subcritical refrigeration systems, with products capable of handling pressures up to 140bar (2,030psi).
One of the company’s standout products at Chillventa was its 66-M series 3-way motorized ball valve, which Buccianti described as “extremely reliable and efficient.” The unit has a maximum working pressure of 140bar and can cover temperatures of −50 to 150°C (−58 to 302°F).
“Inserting a 3-way valve for heat recovery is a simple solution to optimize your circuits,” Castel says in its product brochure. “It also allows economic savings by replacing the installation of two 2-way valves.”
Another key product on display was Castel’s 34-E series high-pressure and flash-gas-bypass valve, which is designed to regulate refrigerant pressure and flow, particularly in systems operating under variable loads or fluctuating temperature conditions.
The component has a maximum working pressure of 140bar and a working temperature range of −40 to 60°C (−40 to 140°F). Castel offers a version of the product with an integrated ball valve, providing additional flexibility in system configurations.
To ensure reliability, Castel conducted a year-long trial of the 34-E series bypass valve with a major client.
“The results have been highly promising in terms of both efficiency and durability,” Buccianti said. “It was tested under a wide range of operational conditions and temperatures, and the feedback has been excellent.”
