Because of the taxes on HFCs and the lower cost of CO2 installations, an increasing number of smaller markets and supermarkets are being installed using natural refrigerants in Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, UK and other European countries.
In Denmark and other Nordic countries today hardly any new supermarket is charged with artificial refrigerants. Beside the wish from the owners to represent a "Green Image" the Government "helps" with heavy taxation of HCFC's. Prices are approaching 100 Euro/kg, and the refrigerant charge was really becoming expensive. The change towards CO2 has been easier than first expected. After initial trials the design has become well known to the leading OEMs and Contractors. Today they master the technology as any other commercial installation. The economical encouragement from the government was just the beginning - as it turns out CO2 saves money and energy - thus being a good investment on its own.