Since producing its first propane (R290) unit in 2006, Italian manufacturer Euroklimat has installed more than 3,000 of its chillers and heat pumps in Europe – as well as close to 20 in the Australian market – CEO Michele Bedin told NaturalRefrigerants.com.
Bedin shared sales figures during an interview at Chillventa 2024, one of the world’s largest HVAC&R trade shows. Chillventa was held in Nuremberg, Germany, October 8–10.
The company produces R290 chillers for indoor climate comfort, food processing and cold storage with capacity ranges from 30‒1,000kW (8.5‒284TR), high-end output temperatures from 7‒12°C (44.6‒53.6°F) and low-end ones from −8 to −4°C (17.6‒24.8°F). It also manufactures R290 heat pumps with capacities ranging from 30‒700kW (8.5‒199TR).
“When we started working with propane, we knew it was the future because of its properties and the movement toward environmentally friendly solutions,” Bedin said. “Our first big order came in 2012 for 40 chillers for 20 underground metro stations in Copenhagen.”
“For the last 10 years, we have increased our propane turnover by 20%, and today 70% of what we manufacture uses the natural refrigerant,” Bedin told NaturalRefrigerants.com.
In 2021, Euroklimat reported that 60% of its production used R290.
<b><span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" data-mce-type="bookmark" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>Technology progression</b>Bedin explained that the company started from the ground up to produce its first R290 chiller. He said it took two years to find a propane leak sensor and extensive work to develop a plate heat exchanger. Euroklimat also worked with <a href="https://naturalrefrigerants.com/carel-to-show-new-a3-ready-components-for-residential-heat-pumps-at-mce/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Italian component manufacturer Carel</a> to source an expansion valve.“In the beginning, everything was new,” Bedin said. “Thanks to support from Frascold, we did it. We invested the time, energy and money to pioneer the market, not just follow along when the f-gas regulations pointed the industry in that direction two years ago.”Italian component manufacturer <a href="https://naturalrefrigerants.com/tag/frascold/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frascold produces</a> R290 and CO<sub>2</sub> (R744) compressors.Of the R290 products produced today by Euroklimat, 90% use semi-hermetic piston compressors and 10% use screw technology, Bedin told NaturalRefrigerants.com.“We would like to promote the use of scroll compressors, but manufacturers are not ready to support that yet,” he said, although the OEM has displayed products using the technology produced by U.S.-based manufacturer <a href="https://naturalrefrigerants.com/partner/copeland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Copeland</a>.According to Bedin, the company sees heat pumps as a growing market for comfort control in buildings and offices, having debuted its <a href="https://hydrocarbons21.com/euroklimat-debuts-new-propane-heat-pump-at-chillventa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first R290 heat pump</a> at Chillventa 2018. In a 2023 case study, French refrigeration manufacturer CTA Group found that Euroklimat’s reversible propane heat pumps cut energy consumption at a Carrefour supermarket in Charleroi, Belgium, <a href="https://hydrocarbons21.com/atmo-europe-r290-heat-pump-cuts-carrefour-stores-hvac-energy-use-by-10-says-cta-group/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">by roughly 10%</a>.At<a href="https://www.chillventa.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Chillventa 2024</a>, Euroklimat showcased a 500kW (142TR)-capacity R290 heat pump containing three circuits with 20kg of propane each.Bedin addressed concerns about propane’s flammability by explaining that there are no risks if the unit is designed correctly and technicians follow safety protocols for maintenance. “In 16 years, with over 3,000 R290 units installed, we have had no problems or accidents,” he said.Euroklimat continues to focus on natural refrigerant products, developing an isobutane (R600a) high-temperature heat pump, which the company also displayed at Chillventa 2024. “We are using isobutane to produce 110°C [230°F] pressurized hot water for the industrial processing market,” Bedin said.“We do a lot of training to educate people on the use of propane,” Bedin remarked. “Our R290 sales are growing, especially with our Germany office, which was set up two years ago, only offering propane products.”</p> <blockquote><p>“In 16 years, with over 3,000 R290 units installed, we have had no problems or accidents.”</p> <p>Michele Bedin, CEO Euroklimat</p></blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>
Technology progression
Bedin explained that the company started from the ground up to produce its first R290 chiller. He said it took two years to find a propane leak sensor and extensive work to develop a plate heat exchanger. Euroklimat also worked with Italian component manufacturer Carel to source an expansion valve.
“In the beginning, everything was new,” Bedin said. “Thanks to support from Frascold, we did it. We invested the time, energy and money to pioneer the market, not just follow along when the f-gas regulations pointed the industry in that direction two years ago.”
Italian component manufacturer Frascold produces R290 and CO2 (R744) compressors.
Of the R290 products produced today by Euroklimat, 90% use semi-hermetic piston compressors and 10% use screw technology, Bedin told NaturalRefrigerants.com.
“We would like to promote the use of scroll compressors, but manufacturers are not ready to support that yet,” he said, although the OEM has displayed products using the technology produced by U.S.-based manufacturer Copeland.
According to Bedin, the company sees heat pumps as a growing market for comfort control in buildings and offices, having debuted its first R290 heat pump at Chillventa 2018. In a 2023 case study, French refrigeration manufacturer CTA Group found that Euroklimat’s reversible propane heat pumps cut energy consumption at a Carrefour supermarket in Charleroi, Belgium, by roughly 10%.
At Chillventa 2024, Euroklimat showcased a 500kW (142TR)-capacity R290 heat pump containing three circuits with 20kg of propane each.
Bedin addressed concerns about propane’s flammability by explaining that there are no risks if the unit is designed correctly and technicians follow safety protocols for maintenance. “In 16 years, with over 3,000 R290 units installed, we have had no problems or accidents,” he said.
Euroklimat continues to focus on natural refrigerant products, developing an isobutane (R600a) high-temperature heat pump, which the company also displayed at Chillventa 2024. “We are using isobutane to produce 110°C [230°F] pressurized hot water for the industrial processing market,” Bedin said.
“We do a lot of training to educate people on the use of propane,” Bedin remarked. “Our R290 sales are growing, especially with our Germany office, which was set up two years ago, only offering propane products.”
“In 16 years, with over 3,000 R290 units installed, we have had no problems or accidents.”
Michele Bedin, CEO Euroklimat
