Redefining Refrigeration
Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Retail: Dauphinais, Display case specialist
Founded in Quebec (Canada), Dauphinais designs manufactures and distributes refrigerated display cases for large grocery chains and small food retailers. They are committed to offering sustainable and energy-efficient products while integrating eco-friendly technologies such as nebulization and LEAP technology. The company prioritizes innovative green technologies to meet and exceed current and future environmental market requirements.
One of the energy-efficient solutions Dauphinais proposes includes using propane (R290) as a natural refrigerant in their plug-in display cases. As a pure gas, propane does not contain chemical agents, making it eco-friendly. “What is compelling about cases which use R290 gas is that they have a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of three which is significantly below the average GWP of most display cases using synthetic refrigerant fluids,” says Randy Irwin, business development and project manager for Western Canada at Dauphinais.
Dauphinais incorporates variable-speed inverter compressors into their plug-in line of products. Unlike traditional compressors, which operate at fixed speeds, inverter compressors adjust their speed according to cooling demand. This results in significant energy savings, as the compressor doesn’t run at full capacity all the time. Inverter compressors can achieve higher energy efficiency ratings, reducing electricity consumption and operational costs. Moreover, this technology also operates more quietly than traditional compressors since it avoids constant starting and stopping at full power. The variable speed operation results in smoother and quieter compressor cycling, creating a more pleasant in store experience for customers and team members.
Among their range of products, the company distributes the Garmo-RDGA-L4, manufactured by JBG2, one of the most energy-efficient R290 propane cases on the market. “The Garmo-RDGA-L4 is top-ranked (Class A) in the European Union Energy Label classification in terms of energy consumption,” explains Irwin. “This case is also favored for its large loading capacity and product visibility.” Propane also offers great thermal stability. Therefore, using this energy-efficient gas helps to maintain a constant and uniform temperature guaranteeing the freshness and preservation of products.
To further improve product preservation and sustainability practices, Dauphinais uses Areco’s nebulization technology, which is a fogging system that preserves the freshness and organoleptic properties of food. This technology keeps food fresher for longer and reduces waste thanks to its continuous cold-steam system that ensures better humidity control and temperature homogeneity. “One of the advantages of nebulization in the produce department is that it eliminates the need for refrigeration in display cases since it is preserved only by the fog, leading to significant energy savings (up to 95 per cent),” says Irwin.
Another example of Dauphinais’ commitment to sustainability is the distribution of cases using Novum LEAP technology. These energy-efficient and easy-to-operate cases feature an interchangeable cassette compressor system to simplify repairs and reduce downtime and service costs. “In short, the advantages of refrigeration units using LEAP are that they consume very little energy, require no defrosting, and are easy to clean. There’s no ice build-up inside the display case, maximizing storage space and reducing both product loss from ice buildup and maintenance time.”
For over 40 years, Dauphinais has accompanied its customers from the beginning to the end of their projects. With a team of professionals and technicians dedicated to design, customer service, sales and after-sale service, they are fully committed to building long-lasting customer relationships. Dauphinais strives to take care of its customers as much as the planet.