First state-of-the-art “green” refrigeration technology

Arneg New Zealand the country’s only 100% owned and operated supermarket refrigeration business, has created history by installing the first state-of-the-art “green” refrigeration technology into a New Zealand supermarket.

Arneg NZ Managing Director Matthew Darby is delighted to have created a first; using the old number eight fencing wire mentality by adapting a European designed refrigeration system to meet the needs of the New Zealand supermarket industry.

“New World in Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore has become the first supermarket in the country to have one of our completely environmentally friendly refrigeration systems installed and running only on carbon dioxide,” said Mr Darby.

The system which is called a Transcritical System is truly green. It cools purely using CO2, a natural refrigerant, instead of the more common commercial synthetic refrigerants that emit several thousand times stronger gasses than CO2.

“That’s not all the good news according to Mr Darby, the system also negates the ETS effect with the new Emission Trading Scheme that comes into law in 2013 making synthetic refrigerants significantly more costly.

“When the law comes into effect it means New World Devonport will avoid the impact of having to report on using synthetic refrigerants. It’s commendable that this supermarket is leading the charge by purchasing this innovative new refrigeration technology, making the store more energy efficient,” he said.

“This cutting edge technology is set to revolutionise the FMCG sector that relies on refrigeration systems. It also means that there are significant savings at store level for the Devonport New World owner operator.

“The store now is energy efficient, whilst increasing refrigeration in the supermarket it is also reducing the power required to run the system. Plus the new system provides the store with free hot water and free store heating in winter,” said Mr Darby.

Devonport New World Owner Operator John Ashton couldn’t be happier with his new look store in particular the revolutionary refrigeration innovation.

“Before the upgrade a lot of the fridge and freezer units we had in our store were about 26 years old, they were out of date, certainly not energy efficient and repairs and maintenance costs certainly escalate over time.

“If I continued using old synthetic refrigerants and had a major gas leakage it could have cost me dearly, now I am future proofed and avoid the impact of the ETS,” he said.

Mr Ashton says to be the first supermarket in the country to install this technology is certainly gratifying, being energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost efficient has got to be good for the store and my customers.” Mr Ashton said.

Arneg New Zealand hopes by showcasing the new cooling system, it will mean other supermarkets will take note and suppliers to the FMCG chilled and frozen sections will also be interested in the brand new system.

About Arneg
Arneg New Zealand is a privately owned and operated business with offices in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch. The company employs more than 30 staff and in 2011 won the JRA most improved small business award.

Matthew Darby is an engineer and heads the family owned business which has the rights to tap into European designs via Arneg global group of companies.

Internationally Arneg is one of the largest manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment worldwide with manufacturing plants in 16 countries around the world.