Carbon Dioxide refrigeration
Carbon dioxide (R744) has re-emerged as one of the most capable and future-proof refrigerants available, combining high thermodynamic performance with unmatched environmental credentials. As a natural refrigerant with a GWP of 1, CO₂ avoids the regulatory uncertainty, PFAS concerns, and long-term environmental impacts associated with synthetic refrigerants. Modern transcritical system design has transformed R744 into a safe, efficient and scalable solution for commercial and industrial refrigeration, making it the benchmark against which other refrigerants are now compared.
Why CO₂?
• Ultra-low GWP (GWP = 1)
• High thermodynamic efficiency
• Excellent heat-pump performance
• Strong safety profile in occupied spaces
• Long-term regulatory certainty
Carbon dioxide (R744) is a natural refrigerant with:
Although CO₂ operates at higher pressures than synthetic refrigerants, modern system design and controls make it a safe, efficient and future-proof choice for both heating and cooling applications.
What about other refrigerants?
Australia’s HFC phase-down is well underway, with imports reducing to 15% of baseline levels by 2036. Rising prices and tightening supply make HFCs an unsustainable long-term option.
HFC’s
HFO’s
While marketed as low-GWP alternatives, HFO’s:
• Are complex and costly to manufacture
• Break down into TFA, a persistent environmental pollutant
• Generate PFAS compounds during atmospheric degradation
• Can be mildly flammable
• Still carry regulatory uncertainty
Ammonia (R717)
Ammonia remains efficient in large industrial plants, but:
• It is toxic and flammable
• Large charge systems pose safety risks in occupied workplaces
• Regulatory requirements continue to tighten
CO₂ avoids these issues while delivering comparable or superior performance in many applications.
Our CO₂ Technologies
Glaciem Cooling Technologies has been at the forefront of CO₂ system design for more than a decade. Our engineering team has developed a suite of high-efficiency CO₂ heat pumps and booster refrigeration systems that deliver reliable performance in Australia’s hot climate while supporting the transition away from high-GWP synthetic refrigerants.
Our patented DP-CO₂ air-side heat-exchanger technology enables CO₂ systems to operate efficiently in high ambient conditions, providing a proven pathway to electrification and decarbonisation for commercial and industrial facilities.
CO₂ Booster Refrigeration Systems
High-efficiency transcritical booster systems designed for:
• Supermarkets
• Food distribution centres
• Cold storage
• Food processing
• Low-temperature industrial applications
Our booster systems deliver strong performance across:
• Medium-temperature loads (0°C and above)
• Low-temperature loads (−18°C to −25°C)
• Ultra-low-temperature loads (below −35°C)
Field results show CO₂ outperforming legacy HFC systems and, in many cases, matching or exceeding ammonia efficiency at very low temperatures — without the safety and regulatory challenges of large-charge ammonia.
CO₂ Heat Pumps (Commercial & Industrial)
• Simultaneous heating and cooling
• High-temperature hot water up to 90°C
• Hydronic integration with existing chilled and hot-water loops
• Exceptional performance in high ambient conditions
• Full electrification of thermal loads
Glaciem’s CO₂ heat pumps provide:
• Aquatic centres
• Hospitals
• Universities
• Food and beverage processing
• District energy systems
• Commercial buildings transitioning away from gas
These systems are ideal for:
DP-CO₂ — Dew-Point-Cooled CO₂ technology
Our globally patented DP-CO₂ technology uses dew-point cooling to significantly improve CO₂ system performance in hot climates.
• World-leading air-side efficiency
• Reduced transcritical operation
• Lower energy consumption
• Stable performance during heatwaves
• Proven results in Australian conditions
Benefits include:
DP-CO₂ remains the most efficient air-cooled CO₂ refrigeration technology available for high-ambient regions.
applications
• Supermarkets
• Process cooling
• Air-conditioning applications using CO₂ heat pumps
• Hydronic heating/cooling loops
Medium Temperature (0°C and above)
• Food storage and distribution
• Meat, poultry and seafood processing
• Pharmaceutical storage
• Ice production
CO₂ delivers >20% energy savings compared with R404A and R507 systems. Applications include:
Low Temperature (−18°C to −25°C)
Ultra-Low Temperature (< −35°C)
• Plate freezers
• Spiral freezers
• Blast freezing
• Industrial low-temperature processes
CO₂ demonstrates excellent efficiency in:
Speak with our engineering team to explore how CO₂ heat pumps and booster systems can reduce energy use, eliminate synthetic refrigerants, and support your decarbonisation goals.