With environmental impact a key concern for the entire HVACR industry, global metals manufacturing and technology company Luvata has further developed the use of carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a refrigerant in its new solutions. The company has explained that, as well as potentially offering zero ozone-depletion and less effect on global warming, the use of CO₂ can also allow more efficient operation of the system than traditional refrigerants.

The technology, developed by Luvata’s coils and coolers division, has been selected by The Coca-Cola Company for use in environmentally-friendly vending machines for the 2008 Beijing Olympics as part of the global beverage company’s commitment to sustainability. Giovanni Simeoni, Head of Sales and Marketing, Product Development and R&D for Luvata’s ECO-Heatcraft division, explained the benefits of using CO₂ as a refrigerant: “The higher volumetric efficiency of CO₂ refrigerant (known as R744) means that the cross-sectional area of pipes used in heat transfer equipment can be reduced. As a result, equipment has the potential to be smaller, lighter, more efficient and better for the environment.”

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