SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION
Hyper U in Porto Vecchio chooses R-455A
Mecafroid has installed two chillers for medium-temperature refrigeration and a direct-expansion unit for low-temperature cooling, all using Solstice L40X to replace legacy R-404A systems.
“Secondary refrigeration off ers two key advantages: even
refrigerant distribution and lower
defrost energy consumption.” explains
Mohammed Youbi Idrissi, Technical Leader EMEA at Honeywell.
O
n the southern coast of Corsica, the Porto Vecchio Hyper U has become the fi rst hypermarket on the island to adopt an entirely R-455A-based refrigeration system.
Distributed by Climalife and produced by Honeywell, R-455A (Solstice L40X) off ers a very low GWP of 146 and is approved under F-Gas III regulations. Spanning 4,200 m² and welcoming up to 5,000 customers daily in peak season, the Porto Vecchio Hyper U has undergone multiple renovations over two decades. Despite layout changes, its refrigeration systems remained reliant on R-404A direct expansion units. Following Hyper U’s acquisition of the site in 2023, owner Eric Cascio and manager Franck Marrot, supported by installer Mecafroid, prioritised regulatory compliance and energy effi ciency in the refurbishment brief. The renovation also aligned the store with the U concept, expanding fresh produce zones and enclosing display units to reduce energy consumption, which previously exceeded €200k annually. Consultancy Garcia, based in Nîmes, was commissioned
to evaluate alternatives to R-404A and propose a compliant, energy-effi cient solution.
Technology selection and strategic considerations Refrigeration architecture has become a strategic lever for environmental and fi nancial performance. While transcritical CO₂ systems (R-744) were considered, they were ultimately ruled out due to climate constraints and operational complexity.
“Given the shop’s location in southern Corsica, the energy performance of CO₂ systems could be compromised,” said Paul Trojani, head of Mecafroid. “Feedback from similar installations shows that high summer temperatures pose challenges,” added Eric Cascio, who also operates Super U Sainte Lucie and Marché U Sagonne.
Island-specifi c maintenance constraints and seasonal energy demand further reinforced the decision to pursue synthetic refrigerants with low environmental impact and manageable CAPEX/OPEX. The fi nal design includes: ■ A 61 kW direct expansion plant with fi ve Bitzer compressors for low-temperature cooling
■ Two AF-Energy chillers (150 kW each) for medium-temperature cooling via a chilled water loop
■ All systems charged with Solstice® L40X (R-455A), a mildly fl ammable A2L refrigerant suitable for new installations
Solstice L40X off ers comparable performance to R-404A, with high energy effi ciency, a favourable critical temperature and pressure profi le, and ease of installation, key for technician accessibility and emergency response.
Rapid deployment and system confi guration The project was executed in just seven weeks, with a fi xed reopening date of 26 February 2024. AF Energy, based in Savoie, designed the full installation, including regulation and supervision systems. Key specifi cations: ■ Each chiller contains 108 kg of R-455A and supplies a shared 2,000-litre buff er tank
■ Secondary pumps serve medium-temperature cold rooms and Exkal display cabinets
■ The glycol loop uses 9 m³ of Friogel Neo (-18°C), supporting -4°C / -8°C operation
20 October 2025 •
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