TREVOUX, France — With 100 people in attendance, Danfoss cut the ribbon and opened the doors to its newly extended ATEX lab. The facility will speed up the testing of refrigerant options for compressors, easing the transition to more sustainable refrigerants.

"The refrigerant transition starts here,” said Danfoss Cooling President Jürgen Fischer, as the doors to the ATEX laboratory in Trevoux, France were opened.

This extension of Danfoss' ATEX lab dramatically increases its ability to test its air conditioning and refrigeration compressors with flammable and alternative refrigerants and enables the company to develop better compressor technologies. These improvements will play an important role in reducing CO₂ emissions, mitigating the effects of climate change, and helping Danfoss provide better solutions to its customers.

The ATEX certification means that the building and operational procedures have been carefully designed with Explosive Atmosphere Conditions (ATEX) and flammable refrigerant management in mind. This ensures that the testing environment is as safe as possible. At six times its original size, the ATEX lab is now the largest in Europe.

In his welcome address, Noel Ryan, Danfoss president of commercial compressors, emphasized that it is no coincidence that the lab extension is located in Europe.

"With our team of highly qualified experts and easy access to our production unit, we have the competences necessary to find the future refrigerant solutions and compressor technologies," Ryan said. "Many of us have known each other for a long time. This industry transition is not the first we've witnessed, but it's possibly the fastest and one of the most expensive, with immediate milestones in Europe. Danfoss is investing heavily to be able to support that transition."

Jürgen Fischer, President of Danfoss Cooling, linked the new lab to Danfoss' history of investing in the future.

"It is in Danfoss' DNA to invest in finding solutions that are energy efficient, reliable, and sustainable," said Fischer. "And with this new lab we are demonstrating our investment in future refrigerants. The ATEX lab is the biggest lab of its kind in Europe and we have the right people, products, and competences to keep the planet cool."

Publication date: 9/27/2018

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!