Greenyard uses 28% less energy thanks to state-of-the-art industrial cooling

Complying with Stricter Environmental Regulations Without Disrupting Production

Greenyard is a global market leader in fresh fruit and vegetables and operates within an energy-intensive, continuously running food supply chain. As an international distributor of fresh food, Greenyard is under increasing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. This pressure comes not only from regulations, but also from retailers and consumers who increasingly expect sustainability throughout the entire supply chain.

Refrigeration plays a key role in this context. Industrial refrigeration systems run 24/7 and are among the largest energy consumers on site. In 2014, Greenyard was faced with stricter environmental legislation for industrial refrigeration systems. At the same time, the existing refrigeration system had grown organically and was highly fragmented, consisting of systems of different ages and technologies.

The central question was how Greenyard could make its refrigeration system more sustainable, ensure compliance with new legislation, and prepare for further growth without risking production downtime.

A Single, Well-Considered Refrigeration Strategy Focused on Energy, Regulations, and Growth

Together with Greenyard, Encon developed an integrated vision for sustainable refrigeration. We began with a comprehensive concept analysis and detailed cooling load calculations to gain a clear understanding of the site’s actual needs. Based on this, we guided Greenyard in selecting an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly refrigeration solution using natural refrigerants such as CO₂ and ammonia.

Rather than focusing solely on investment costs, Encon also analysed energy consumption, maintenance requirements, and the total lifetime cost of various scenarios. We thoroughly compared quotations, jointly selected the most suitable partner, and took full responsibility for project management.

Thanks to careful planning and close coordination between all parties involved, the switchover was completed without production coming to a standstill at any point. The new centralised plant room was also designed with sufficient expansion capacity to support future growth.

Structural Savings and a Sustainable Long-Term Vision

The new refrigeration system delivers energy savings of more than 28%, amounting to cost savings of €638,000 over ten years. At the same time, the environmental impact was significantly reduced through the use of natural refrigerants and much more efficient operation.

Greenyard now has a future-proof refrigeration solution that can grow with the company and meets the strictest environmental standards. The success of this project marked the start of a long-term partnership. In 2018 and 2020, other areas within Greenyard were also made more sustainable using the same approach.