Sustainable cooling in practice - Interview with Martijn de Bruijn

How sustainable is Coolworld's rental fleet?

Martijn: "Sustainable thinking runs deep at Coolworld. Partly because of this, the installations were always ahead of the legislation. Taking into account the Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and the correct use of refrigerants is something we have been doing from day one. Not only to follow regulations, but also to develop solutions with an eye on the future. Right now, everything is about combating the greenhouse effect and using refrigerants with the lowest possible Global Warming Potential (GWP). From 2025, legislation in this area will be tightened considerably. In 2018, we made major investments in units with natural refrigerants such as Co₂. We are also doing tests with ammonia and refrigerants that have no or very low GWP."

What is Coolworld's vision for reducing its carbon footprint?

Martijn: "As a customer, we want to offer you the best possible temperature solution. That means that this solution works perfectly, is safe and meets all legal environmental requirements. Synthetic refrigerants with a GWP of 2,500 or higher will no longer be allowed to be used from 2030. This means we are constantly looking for refrigerants with a GWP as far below 2500 as possible. When expanding our fleet, we constantly take this into account. In recent years, for example, we invested in cells and containers with a GWP value of 0. As our fleet grows, the total GWP value remains the same."

How is Coolworld reducing the carbon footprint of its existing fleet?

Martijn: "The Co₂ footprint of existing installations is getting smaller. The use of certain refrigerants is completely stopped, opting for low-GWP ones is the standard. In this, we are very strict with ourselves. Gradually, the fleet is changing.

That starts with replacing refrigerants for GWP-friendly variants. The old refrigerant goes out. Then we fill the unit with the new refrigerant. Using different refrigerants sometimes creates technical challenges. Our experts know how to solve these challenges in all kinds of inventive ways. So as a customer, you can always rely on a robust, reliable, GWP-friendly solution.

Sometimes, replacing the refrigerant is not enough. When cooling units have reached the end of their service life and 'the box' itself is still good, we refurbish them. The old refrigeration technology goes out, the new one goes in. This way, we ensure that you as a customer can have a perfectly functioning unit with state-of-the-art technology and a low GWP."

Does Coolworld also develop its own low-GWP plants?

Martijn: "Definitely. For the units we develop ourselves, we aim for the lowest possible GWP. In doing so, we work closely with specialist suppliers."

How do Coolworld's suppliers contribute to reducing its carbon footprint?

Martijn: "The suppliers contribute significantly to reducing our CO2 footprint. Like us, they are bound by all kinds of strict laws and regulations. For example, they have certain GWP quotas they have to adhere to. Therefore, they are fully engaged in creating plants with the lowest possible Co₂ footprint. We follow our suppliers in this. This way we reinforce and accelerate each other, so that you as a customer can benefit faster from installations with low GWP values."

Various natural refrigerants are available. Which refrigerant is preferred by Coolworld?

Martijn: "Propane is emerging as a natural refrigerant. Using that highly flammable gas creates all kinds of challenges, both in our field and with our customers. Ammonia is also an option, but is very toxic. That is why we chose Co₂ as the refrigerant. As a customer, this assures you of a safe, reliable solution with a low GWP."

A leaking installation is very harmful to the environment. How does Coolworld prevent leaks?

Martijn: "Coolworld prevents leaks in the first place by making each installation as robust as possible and protecting all sensitive technology against impact. In addition, the monitoring of all installations is very intensive. Every time an installation returns, it is checked. Such a standard return check corresponds to the statutory annual maintenance. In addition to these return checks, we also inspect each installation separately every year. These checks extend the lifespan of the installations and prevent leaks at an early stage. As a customer, you are therefore assured of a leak-tight installation that performs optimally."

What Co₂-friendly rental fleet expansion can customers expect from Coolworld in the future?

Martijn: "An expansion that will soon be available to customers is a new cell that can cool, freeze and heat with Co₂. Initially, this is a 6-metre unit. Then we will also introduce a 12-metre unit. In the medium term, we will also introduce new fast coolers and fast freezers with a low GWP. In addition, we are busy developing new low-GWP cooling towers for the process industry. We are looking very specifically at dry coolers. With a dry cooler, you no longer need continuous water treatment or antifreeze protection. Moreover, dry coolers have a better efficiency."