Panasonic reported the sale of 7,000 outdoor compressor-condenser units

Panasonic reported the sale of 7,000 outdoor compressor-condenser units using carbon dioxide refrigerant (CO2, R744) in Europe. Of this number, 2,500 units were sold in 2025.

These figures were provided by Gaku Shimada, Managing Director of Panasonic Cold Chain Poland, who noted that this result demonstrates a market growth of more than a third. The dynamic expansion of operations is achieved through the combined use of imported Japanese components and local production facilities in Poland. According to Shimada, Panasonic's sales of carbon dioxide refrigerators in the region have tripled from 2023 to 2024.

An important milestone was the formation of Panasonic Cold Chain Poland at the end of 2024, which was established after the acquisition of the Polish manufacturer Area Cooling Solutions. This acquisition strengthened Panasonic's market position, with Simada estimating that Panasonic currently holds over 30% of the European CO2-based cold chain market.

The product range continues to expand. In 2026, the company intends to introduce a low-power, one-horsepower CO2-powered unit designed for medium-temperature and low-temperature cooling in the HoReCa segment. According to General Manager Pavel Yankovsky, the first potential customers have already expressed interest after the tests, and several hundred units are expected to be sold in the coming year.

With increasing demand, Panasonic is making its first large-scale deals in Eastern Europe. A notable example is a contract with a Polish grocery chain to supply CO2-based air conditioners to 60 new stores over two years. "This is the first major retail chain in Poland to choose CO2 for small outdoor units," Simada explained.

To meet the growing demand, the company is actively training specialists. Over the past two months, 300 people, most of whom are Panasonic employees, have completed training at the Polish facility.

The trend of switching to natural refrigerants is gaining momentum. According to the ATMOsphere report, the use of CO2-based transcritical refrigerants in Europe increased by 71% in 2024. According to Yankovsky, environmental initiatives by governments and large corporations are encouraging leading Western European retailers to switch to carbon dioxide, while the Eastern European market is still in its early stages of development.