Italian manufacturer SCM Frigo is due to produce more than 2,200 CO2 (R744)-based refrigeration units this year, said Nicola Pignatelli, the company’s CEO in a recent interview. This represents a 50% increase in production, compared to 2020.
In addition to its existing condensing units, chillers and transcritical booster racks for commercial and industrial applications, the manufacturer will be adding a new high-capacity industrial transcritical CO2 rack to its portfolio, he added.
The new iBooster is designed for large logistics and processing applications and offers double the capacity of SCM Frigo’s existing Booster rack. The iBooster can provide up to 1.5MW (427TR) for medium temperature and up to 600kW (171TR) for low temperature. Its modular design enables the iBooster to meet the refrigeration requirements of a range of customers.
According to Pignatelli, the iBooster contains the latest generation of high-capacity compressors.
Expanding production
To meet the growing demand for CO2 refrigeration, SCM Frigo will be expanding its 10,000m2 (107,640ft2) production facility, which opened two years ago, to include a new warehouse. The new building will store components to reduce lead time, explained Pignatelli.
The manufacturer will also be adding two new production lines to its facility. One of these lines will be dedicated to the iBooster, while the second product is still in development and yet to be announced.
Among the 2,200 units expected to be produced this year are 15 to 20 of SCM Frigo’s commercial racks that contain Emerson’s Copeland scroll compressors.
Alongside its production facility, the manufacturer also has 2,000m2 (21,530ft2) for offices and the Beijer Ref Academy, which offers CO2 training for field engineers and other industry stakeholders.
Global player
SCM Frigo is a global player in the natural refrigerants sector, with almost 20 years’ experience. Earlier this year, it received the Natural Refrigerants Label from ATMOsphere, a global market accelerator of clean cooling and heating solutions and publisher of R744.com.
The “ATMO Approved” label is designed to help qualified manufacturers to market products to new customers and regions in the natural refrigerants marketplace. It is also meant to help end users to identify best-in-class suppliers.
“In 2005 SCM Frigo started to develop systems with natural refrigerants because we understood the importance of being a pioneer in this technology focusing on sustainability,” said Pignatelli. “It’s time to qualify and make evident the right level of skill and competence of the companies who design and build refrigerant systems using green technology.”
“In 2005 SCM Frigo started to develop systems with natural refrigerants because we understood the importance of being a pioneer in this technology focusing on sustainability.”
Nicola Pignatelli, SCM Frigo
While Europe is the manufacturer’s main market, it has customers around the world, including in South America, Australia and New Zealand.
