#FRIGAIR2018
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
A great attendance at Africa’s first ATMOsphere networking event.
We need to work
closely together so in
future we can still
have a planet we
can call ‘home’.
– Wynand Groenewald, CRS
The industry has come a long way in addressing the skills
and training issue, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
In particular with ensuring the safe handling of natural
refrigerants.
A short coffee break followed Laidlaw’s presentation.
Woolworth’s journey with natural refrigerants, starting 12 system complexity; difficulties in sourcing components;
years ago already. This was a historical moment in itself, and the development of local skills. However, these
as Woolworths has never spoken on a public forum about challenges have since been overcome and the company
their choice to go natural. has been putting in CO 2 systems wherever possible, even
According to Kuzma, Woolworths currently boasts nine
subcritical installations for its retail stores and 61 trans-
critical systems. He explained that 60% of the retailer’s
energy bill goes towards refrigeration and therefore it was
retrofitting some older stores with CO 2 systems. “Redoing
stores with trans-critical CO 2 plants pays for itself in a
couple of years,” he said.
“CO 2 is sustainable and future-proof,” explained
critical that they relook the efficiency and longevity of Kuzma. “You put it in, and you don’t have to worry about
their refrigeration installations. “Going down the CO 2 road it anymore,” he said. “Anyone putting in HFC plants now,
is a good business journey in terms of energy efficiency
and reducing carbon emissions,” he explained.
He spoke on the company’s experience with CO 2 and
that despite initial resistance, it has proved a smart move
brace yourselves, because it’s going to get ugly!” he added.
IN2FOOD BACKS CO 2
Next up was Malcolm Moore of In2Food. The company is
for its refrigeration solution. Kuzma explained that there currently busy constructing its new premises in Boksburg,
were various obstacles initially for adopting CO 2 trans- which will boast the largest CO 2 trans-critical installation
THE WOOLWORTHS EXPERIENCE critical solutions in South Africa’s food retail industry. These in the southern hemisphere: an impressive 2.75MW.
After the break, Alex Kuzma, Woolworth’s head of included a higher initial cost (about 45% higher when (Read more about this ongoing project in the June 2018
engineering, took to the stage to take visitors through compared to previous systems); fear of the unknown; edition of Cold Link Africa.)
Grant Laidlaw of SAIRAC elaborated on training in South
Africa. Alex Kuzma of Woolworths mid-presentation.
Kenneth Bank Madsen of Danfoss spoke on the history of
natural refrigerants.
COLD LINK AFRICA • July/August 2018
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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