Carter Synergy delivers new CO₂ refrigeration system for Granarolo’s new distribution centre

A new CO₂ refrigeration system has been designed and installed by Carter Synergy for Granarolo’s distribution centre in Willenhall, UK. The project, reported by Cooling Post, is part of the company’s new logistics hub, a £10 million investment that was officially opened last December.

The facility replaces Granarolo’s previous distribution centre, which was completely destroyed by a fire in January 2023. For the new site, Carter Synergy developed a refrigeration solution designed to combine operational continuity, flexibility and safety, based on two independent CO₂ systems.

The two systems serve a total of four areas dedicated to chilled and frozen product storage. To ensure an even temperature distribution, each cold room is equipped with ceiling-mounted evaporators, distributed between the two refrigeration systems. This configuration helps maintain consistent refrigeration conditions throughout the different areas of the warehouse.

The system configuration includes two external CO₂ units, together with two gas coolers, two desuperheaters and 16 indoor evaporators. The use of two separate systems also provides greater flexibility in managing the different areas of the facility while improving overall system availability and continuity of operation.

Particular attention has also been paid to system monitoring and control. Carter Synergy has implemented RDM solutions to integrate the refrigeration system and leak detection system with the building management system.

The systems are interconnected via the BACnet communication protocol and TDB software developed by RDM. This solution enables the main monitoring and management functions to be centralised on a single platform, simplifying the control of the refrigeration equipment and safety systems across the new distribution centre.

The project therefore represents an example of the use of CO₂ as a natural refrigerant in the logistics and distribution sector, with a system architecture designed to meet the requirements for operational continuity and reliability associated with a facility dedicated to the storage and distribution of food products.

The world of industrial and commercial refrigeration, logistics, frozen food and cryogenics will come together at REFRIGERA, the international event for the industry, taking place at Bologna Exhibition Center from 10 to 12 November 2027.