Refra Delivers Advanced CO2 Refrigeration Systems for Major London Depot

Refra CO2 Container Systems © Ilona Pavšukova

Refra is contributing to a major new development in the European foodservice sector — the construction of a 44 129 m² depot in London. The facility is designed to become a showcase of efficiency, capacity and service in the UK. To meet its demanding refrigeration requirements, the project incorporates Refra’s advanced CO2 refrigeration systems, supporting sustainable and energy-efficient operation.

Now fully operational, the depot has expanded capacity in the South East and provides storage for a wider selection of fresh, frozen and shelf-stable products. This scale and versatility strengthen service responsiveness and support the evolution of the UK’s wholesale foodservice industry.

Meeting the Cooling Demands of a 44,129 m² Facility

The project is being delivered in close cooperation with Absolutely Chilled – an official Refra distributor in the UK. To address the significant cooling demands of the depot, the solution includes four Refra CO2 Container systems with transcritical booster technology. Each container provides 445 kW of capacity in the medium temperature (MT) stage and 150 kW in the low temperature (LT) stage, giving a combined total capacity of 1 800 kW MT and 600 kW LT across the four units. This high-capacity setup guarantees precise temperature control for both chilled and frozen storage areas.

Refra Walk-in CO2 Container Systems © Ilona Pavšukova

Ready-to-Install Systems That Save Time and Space

Refra walk-in CO2 Container systems offer a complete refrigeration solution that arrives ready-to-install outdoors. This system offers both installation efficiency, reduced construction costs and significant savings of valuable indoor space.

All piping is pre-assembled and brought to a single side point, so installers can make connections quickly and with minimal disruption. This approach simplifies the installation process and can shorten project timelines by 2-3 weeks. The container also serves as a protective housing, shielding the system from outdoor conditions such as rain, dust and dirt, which helps extend equipment life.

The containers are engineered with careful attention to detail in order to ensure safety, reliability, and ease of maintenance. Standard features include integrated lighting, sound insulation, electrical sockets, an emergency unlocking mechanism and CO2 leak detection together with safety ventilation options. Additional heating and air conditioning systems can be incorporated to provide even greater comfort during service work. All these features create a secure and technician-friendly working environment.

Customers seeking a full-package solution can choose Refra CO2 Containers with Refra Gas Cooler mounted on top. The gas cooler is delivered together with a custom-built platform and ladder, making installation and servicing safe and easy. This design maximises space efficiency, simplifies planning and provides customers with a complete, ready-to-operate system that combines durability, practicality and long-term reliability.

Full-package solution with a gas cooler on top © Ilona Pavšukova

Delivering Capacity While Lowering Environmental Impact

One of the defining aspects of this project is the use of R744 refrigerant. Unlike synthetic gases, CO2 has an extremely low global warming potential and is widely recognised as a safe and future-proof alternative. This approach allows the facility to reduce its environmental impact while still delivering the cooling performance required for a site of this scale.

Another important factor is regulatory compliance. With European legislation gradually restricting the use of high-GWP refrigerants, the decision to invest in CO2 ensures that the system will remain in line with current and future requirements. With more than ten years of experience in natural refrigerant technologies, Refra combines proven expertise with high-quality engineering to deliver reliable and future-ready refrigeration solutions.

Refra delivers sustainable CO2 Container Systems © Ilona Pavšukova