SPAR Converts Fleet to Innovative, Cost-Saving, Cooling Technology That Increases Efficiency and Sustainability

Thermo King recognizes SPAR with Energy Efficiency Leader Award

SPAR Netherlands, a Netherlands-based food retail company, is converting its diesel fleet to a cutting-edge cooling technology that is enabling the company to reduce their carbon footprint, meet cold chain regulation requirements and stringent PIEK guidelines, gain top refrigeration performance, and lower annual distribution costs an estimated 62.000 Euros.

The trailers feature Cryotech refrigeration units that use recycled R-744 refrigerant in a unique open-loop system to achieve a significant reduction in emissions and best in class performance compared to conventional diesel powered units.

The new solution has also reduced emissions by 400 tons annually and eliminated nitrogen oxide emissions entirely.

Thermo King, a manufacturer of temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, honored SPAR’s commitment to energy and operational efficiency and sustainability by presenting the company with the “Energy Efficiency Leader Award” in late August.

Dwight Gibson, vice president of transport solutions for truck and trailer for Thermo King in the Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) region, presented the award to Nico Kuipers, supply chain manager of SPAR.

“We’re pleased that the Cryotech solutions help us ensure the integrity of the cold chain while reflecting SPAR’s strong commitment to sustainability,” said Nico Kuipers, supply chain manager for SPAR. “It’s even better that they save money while enhancing performance.”

SPAR, along with their transportation company, Peter Appel, completed a successful test pilot of the new refrigeration technology in 2009. They have since converted all 60 trailers in their fleet to the new refrigeration solution which enables them to carefully manage the cold chain from the distribution center through delivery while maintaining the highest quality standards.

The SPAR fleet serves the company’s 677 retail locations, a distribution center located in Alkmaar, and a new distribution facility in Waalwijk which opened in May 2011.

The Cryotech refrigeration units, the quietest refrigeration units on the market, substantially exceed the demanding PIEK low-noise standard, making them ideal for cargo distribution in urban areas. This noise regulation, which originated in the Netherlands, has quickly become the accepted European standard for low-noise equipment.

R-744 supply and filling facilities

The R-744 fill stations offer Silenci high-speed refrigerant dispensers, which Yara International ASA, the world’s leading chemical company that converts energy, natural minerals and nitrogen from the air into essential products for farmers and industrial customers, developed in collaboration with Thermo King. The dispensers are specially designed to fill a tank in less than 10 minutes, while providing the highest levels of safety and convenience.

Because driver safety is a high priority, the patented quick connection couplings used for refilling the CryoTech units incorporate a unique pull-away safety system. This stops the R-744 refrigerant flow in the event of a driver pulling away from the dispenser with the fill hoses still attached, minimising leakage of the R-744 and injury risk.

What makes CryoTech unique

The CryoTech units use recycled R-744 in an innovative open-loop system which provides airflow in the load space. This is essential for fresh produce. It exhausts the cryogen outside the load space, ensuring that no R-744 enters the cargo area, unlike other systems that inject liquid coolant into this space, displacing oxygen. Such systems require complex safety mechanisms and gas extraction equipment to protect operators. This inevitably delays loading and unloading while the gas is removed and the area becomes safe to enter.

CryoTech units offer a variety of benefits including:

• Zero emissions: Units use recycled liquid R-744 captured from ammonia production in a zero-emission system. In addition to transport refrigeration, R-744 can be used in multiple applications in various industries such as food processing, manufacturing, beverage carbonation and medicine.
• Superior performance: CryoTech units feature faster temperature recovery compared to conventional diesel driven refrigeration, making them ideal for the distribution segment.
• Low noise: CryoTech units are significantly quieter than the PIEK standard level of 60 decibels without sacrificing performance.
• Low maintenance: Unlike diesel-driven refrigeration units, which contain numerous high-maintenance parts like diesel engines, compressors and belts, CryoTech units reduce customer’s maintenance needs due to the lower number of moving components.

For more information, please contact Heidi McGuire.