Recommended CO2 Grades for use as a refrigerant in a CO2 Booster system
Due to global supply chain challenges, there has been a shortage of Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) available for refrigerant grade CO2 as well as for gas cylinders. This bulletin is designed to provide Dover Food Retail’s recommendations and guidelines for using the appropriate grade of CO2 (R744) as a natural refrigerant. CO2 is produced as a byproduct of several manufacturing processes such as the formation of hydrocarbons or various distillation and fermentation processes. After CO2 gas has been isolated it is purified into various levels, removing impurities, moisture, and non-condensable gases resulting in different grades of CO2 for various applications. [...]
New Frozen Foods Research Reveals Steady Shopping Behavior among Americans…
AFFI Features Press Release, Oct. 24, 2023 — 2023 Power of Frozen in Retail Shows Shopper Trends, Identifies Opportunities for Retailer Success. Austin, Texas – New research finds that frozen foods maintain their relevance to grocery shoppers and offer a suite of valuable benefits that meet their mealtime needs. The third edition of the Power of Frozen in Retail, released today by the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) and FMI – The Food Industry Association, reports that frozen food sales reached $74.2 billion over the last year and that the core consumer audience remains steady, indicating a bright future ahead [...]
How Does the Finalized AIM Act Rule Impact Your Operation?
Earlier this month, the EPA announced its final ruling on Technology Transition Rule portion of the AIM Act, which will phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in several industries. According to the act, the primary goals are to reduce emissions of climate damaging HFCs from equipment such as air conditioning and refrigeration systems, and maximize the amount of HFCs that can be reclaimed. Because some things have changed from the original proposal of the AIM Act, we wanted to keep you updated on how the final ruling stands. The updated version of the AIM Act features important details on the finalized Technology [...]
Hillphoenix Earns EPA Greenchill Store Certification Excellence Recognition for 12th Consecutive Year
ATLANTA, GA, Oct. 10, 2023 — Hillphoenix, a pioneer in designing environmentally sustainable refrigeration systems, has once again earned the GreenChill Store Certification Excellence recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This achievement recognizes the commercial refrigeration systems manufacturer that installed the most advanced refrigeration systems in GreenChill-Certified Stores in the past year. Inclusive of the 2022-2023 cycle, Hillphoenix systems are now installed in over 80% of GreenChill-Certified Stores. “At Hillphoenix, we are guided by a purpose to invest in the future by developing sustainable technologies and refrigeration solutions,” said Scott Martin, Hillphoenix Senior Director of Industry Relations and [...]
Inside CO2 vs HFC — The Differences At A Glance
Today, regulations are driving retailers to transition from HFC (synthetic) refrigerants to Low GWP refrigerant systems. Yet, for many, the decision to switch is clouded by many questions about the hidden differences between the two and how a low GWP system (e.g. CO2) may impact store design and product application, among other considerations. This document contains answers and information critical to helping retailers understand the refrigerant nuances and make more informed transitions away from synthetic HFCs and toward natural refrigeration systems. What is possible with one system may not apply or even be possible with the other. What can be [...]
Proposed Rule 26 – Listing of Substitutes under the SNAP Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.
On May 1, 2023, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan signed a proposed rule titled, “Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.” This proposed action lists new alternatives for commercial and industrial refrigeration, specifically for retail food refrigeration (new), commercial ice machines (new), industrial process refrigeration (new), cold storage warehouses (new), and ice skating rinks (new). This action also would update use conditions for the refrigerant R-290 (propane) when used in self-contained commercial ice machines and stand-alone retail refrigeration equipment (new) and would allow for a transition period between [...]
Self-contained vs. Remote Display Case — Which One Suits Your Business Best?
For grocery stores and supermarkets, refrigerated display cases are critical assets for everyday operations. When looking for a display case for food retail stores, choosing the right equipment that caters to retailers’ needs, like size, functionality, and installation requirements, is essential. Because retailers have different purposes for getting a food retail display case, their checklist of needs must be fulfilled when deciding which specific merchandiser to get. When it comes to refrigerated display cases, self-contained and remote are the two basic types of cases that are commonly used in the industry today; and this can cause a dilemma for retailers [...]
Why Brick-and-Mortar Stores Remain Relevant Amid E-commerce Proliferation
In a time of ultra-modernization, shopping for material things and groceries has been commonly conducted online. With the acceleration of the use of online platforms, such as e-commerce, online shopping has been the most convenient way for customers to purchase. However, despite the proliferation of e-commerce platforms in the food retail industry, brick-and-mortar stores remain relevant. As the rush of online ordering of groceries and other essentials slowly wanes, customers can once again be found shopping more in-store. Here are some of the reasons why physical stores remain relevant in today’s food retail era: Attract and Retain Customers As customers [...]
Embracing Technology in Food Retail this 2023
Technological advancements have pushed food retailers to continuously innovate to improve their overall store operation and provide an enhanced customer experience. With the ever-changing climate and customer behavior in the food retail landscape, technology has been a primary driving force for food retailers to adapt to the developing industry’s needs. As we enter this exciting new year 2023, the use of technology in retail stores is poised to define which grocers will stay afloat versus those who remain on the sidelines. To keep up with the times, food retailers should adopt innovative tools built specifically to achieve business objectives. Here [...]
Four Issues Surrounding Food Retail That Will Challenge Grocers In the New Year
Given the ever-changing nature and complexity of the food retail industry, challenges and difficulties are not a novel thing. However, with lingering, pandemic-induced effects still in evidence accelerated adoption of technology in the food retail landscape, and supply chain issues continuing to take their toll, the challenges in the upcoming year have the potential to be particularly taxing to grocers. As we look ahead into this year, trends, as well as challenges in food retail, are poised to shape how we do things in the industry. Let’s take a look at four issues surrounding food retail that will surely challenge [...]