Sainsbury’s pilots new CO2 trailer
UK: Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has become the first customer to take delivery of Carrier Transicold’s prototype CO2 refrigerant trailer unit.
The delivery marks the first of three units to join the Sainsbury’s fleet this year as part of a three-year technology field trial. It builds on the success of a 2013 pilot, which saw the supermarket operate a modified road version of Carrier Transicold’s NaturaLine refrigeration system for ocean containers – making it the first naturally refrigerated trailer operating anywhere in the world.
The new prototype system uses advanced technology from the NaturaLine refrigeration system, assembled inside a traditional Carrier Vector unit chassis and powered by the same patented E-Drive all-electric technology as Carrier Transicold’s existing Vector range.
“Delivering the first dedicated natural refrigerant trailer prototype into service marks a huge milestone in the development of over-the-road refrigeration using CO2,” said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems.
“Our ultimate vision is to see temperature-controlled units running on natural refrigerant in mainstream production. Today, with the support of one of our largest European customers, we are one step closer.”
“We’re thrilled to be working closely with Carrier Transicold as they spearhead this innovation,” added Gary King, operations support manager, Sainsbury’s. “The beauty of Carrier Transicold’s prototype trailer unit is it delivers a massive reduction in F-gases by using natural refrigerant. This will directly help us achieve our ambitious environmental and sustainability goals, whilst delivering a seismic leap forward in terms of sustainability within the cold chain.”
Sainsbury’s has taken a leading position in testing the new Carrier Transicold innovation in a real-life trial, with the trailers being used for everyday store deliveries. Since the first NaturaLine trial commenced in 2013, interest in natural refrigerant systems for road transport has been elevated.
The first of the three new prototype trailers to enter service with Sainsbury’s is a 13.6m dual-compartment tri-axle reefer, manufactured in the UK by Gray & Adams. The unit was installed by a specialist team from Carrier Transicold in North America, who worked alongside technicians at Carrier Transicold North West in Liverpool.
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