Retail & Grocery
enterpriseTarget: Supermarket chain operator
If you are a supermarket operator dealing with high energy bills and strict F-gas regulations — this project developed a plug-in display cabinet that achieves 40% electricity savings.
MCD · Project
Gas-Free Magnetic Refrigeration for Sustainable Commercial Cooling and Food Preservation
environmentPilotedTRL 7
Imagine a fridge that doesn't use any chemical gases, but instead uses magnets and water to get cold. It works by using special materials that change temperature when a magnet moves near them. This replaces the noisy, polluting compressors found in traditional appliances with a solid-state system.
By the numbers
40%
electricity savings
0
associated GWP
3
efficiency multiplier (x3)
10
MCD prototypes
The business problem
What needed solving
Traditional refrigeration relies on F-gases that contribute to 7.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions and are being phased out due to high global warming potential or flammability.
The solution
What was built
A solid-state refrigeration system including 10 prototypes and a quality-tested domestic refrigerator using 3D-printed active magnet regenerators.
Audience
Who needs this
Grocery store chain operatorsBeverage display cabinet manufacturersHydrogen liquefaction plant engineersEco-friendly home appliance brands
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Industrial Gas
mid-sizeTarget: Hydrogen fuel infrastructure provider
If you are a hydrogen provider dealing with the high energy cost of cooling gases — this project developed magnetic cooling power that is potentially viable for the hydrogen liquefaction chain.
Home Appliances
enterpriseTarget: Domestic refrigerator manufacturer
If you are an appliance maker dealing with the phase-out of high-GWP gases like R-134a — this project developed a quality-tested domestic refrigerator that uses 0 GWP materials.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
How does this affect operational costs?
The technology is x3 more efficient than standard systems and achieves 40% electricity savings.
Is this ready for industrial scale?
Yes, the project developed the first industrially feasible refrigeration unit using a patented process to mass produce cheap magnetocaloric materials.
What is the IP status and licensing?
The technology relies on a patented process for producing performant and stable magnetocaloric materials based on research from TU Darmstadt.
How does it handle environmental regulations?
It eliminates dependence on high-GWP gases like R-134a and explosive gases like butane, resulting in 0 associated GWP.
What is the current development timeline?
The project ran from 2022-06-01 to 2025-01-31 and has already produced 10 prototypes.
Consortium
Who built it
The project is led by a single German SME, MAGNOTHERM SOLUTIONS GMBH, representing a 100% industry ratio. This lean structure suggests a highly focused commercialization drive, leveraging direct research transfers from TU Darmstadt to move from prototype to market without the overhead of a large academic consortium.
How to reach the team
Contact MAGNOTHERM SOLUTIONS GMBH regarding their POLARIS and ECLIPSE product lines.
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for magnetocaloric cooling materials.
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