World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Smartcool specified for McDonald’s, Riyadh

SAUDI ARABIA:  Smartcool Systems’ energy-saving compressor optimisation technology is to be installed at branches of the McDonald’s hamburger chain in Riyadh.

Kafaat Energy Company, Smartcool’s distributor in Saudi Arabia, has been appointed by Riyadh International Catering Corporation to supply the Smartcool units as part of its plans to promote energy efficiency standards, green environment and reduced levels of carbons’ emissions.

The ECO3 and ESM are Smartcool’s retrofit technologies that are said to reduce the energy consumption of compressors in air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump systems by 15% to 20%. The units are installed between the thermostat or primary controller and the compressor.  They work by actively monitoring and analysing the conditions of the system and adjust the length of each cooling cycle to help the compressor operate under its most energy efficient conditions.

“Installations for Riyadh International Catering Corporation at McDonald’s locations have been completed and are being evaluated for a full rollout to all 162 branches,” said Bashar Abdulrahman, Kafaat Energy’s CEO.

“In addition to working with Riyadh International Catering Corporations’ McDonald’s locations, they recently installed at Tiara Hotel, a unique luxury hotel in Riyadh,” Smartcool Systems CEO Ted Konyi added. Results at Tiara are said to have shown a 20% saving on air conditioning costs.

Latest News

12th June 2026

German refrigerant leak rates down to 1%

GERMANY: Latest figures from Germany suggest that average refrigerant leak rates were down to just 1% in 2025.
12th June 2026

EPEE offers “cost-effective” answer to PFAS emissions

BELGIUM: A new report suggests that building on the European F-gas regulation, while further reducing leaks and increasing reclamation, would be the most cost-effective ways to reduce PFAS emissions.
11th June 2026

Bulgarian HFC smugglers arrested

BULGARIA: Authorities in Bulgaria have arrested members of an organised criminal group accused of illegally importing and distributing HFC refrigerants, money laundering and tax crimes.
11th June 2026

National warns of illegal R1234yf

UK: National Refrigerants has warned of unlicensed R1234yf being imported to the UK in illegal cylinders.
11th June 2026

UK heat pump sales down in Q1

UK: The total number of retrofit heat pump installations in the UK was down 18% in Q1 2026, compared to the previous quarter, and 22% down compared to the same…
10th June 2026

IOR to host briefing on electric future of RACHP

UK: The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) will host the next International Refrigeration Committee (IRC) business briefing which will focus on strengthening RACHP sustainability amid electricity market volatility.