Largest distribution centre employs CO2 refrigeration
2nd June 2026
UK: An 8.6MW CO2 refrigeration system is providing the essential service for Britain’s largest supermarket distribution centre.
Initial operations have begun at the new £500m Aldi warehouse at Bardon in Leicestershire, which covers more than 120,000m2. Once fully operational, the distribution centre will employ 1,000 people and serve nearly 350 stores across the UK. It has the capacity to handle nearly seven million pallets of stock a year. It will also serve as a National Replenishment Hub, supporting Aldi’s existing warehouse network.
Space Engineering Services installed multiple CO2 racks in a dedicated plant room servicing 10 refrigerated areas. This included 1,064kW LT, 7,228kW MT, and 380kW HT across 11 refrigeration systems. The system also includes a glycol underfloor heater mat, utilising heat reclaimed from the refrigeration plate heat exchangers.
The building has 100 HGV bays at the front, and 40 at the rear. It is also the lowest carbon density warehouse across the Aldi South Group.
The 19,000 solar panels installed on the roof will, at times, be able to generate all the electricity required by the site.
