Focusun China

21 - 11 - 2025

The Core Issue in Ice Maker Selection: Balancing Environmental Protection and Efficiency

In commercial and industrial ice-making scenarios, the choice of ice maker directly impacts operating costs, compliance risks, and environmental responsibility. As a leader in the refrigeration industry, Focusun Refrigeration has been deeply involved for decades, witnessing the technological evolution of refrigerants from Freon to carbon dioxide (CO₂). This article will compare the core differences between CO₂ and Freon ice makers from three dimensions: environmental friendliness, ice-making efficiency, and applicable scenarios. Combined with Focusun's technical practices in ice makers, this article provides you with professional selection guidance.

Core Comparison: Three Key Differences Between CO₂ and Freon Ice Makers

Environmental Friendliness: An Inevitable Choice Under Policy Guidance

Freon (HFC refrigerants) has been explicitly restricted by the Montreal Protocol due to its high ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP). From 2030, refrigerants with a GWP higher than 150 will be completely banned globally. Carbon dioxide, as a natural refrigerant, has an ODP of 0 and a GWP of only 1, fully complying with environmental policy requirements. Focusun Refrigeration had already applied CO₂ refrigeration technology in the EU Pavilion project at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, achieving zero environmental risk operation.

Ice-making efficiency: A core competitive advantage in industrial scenarios

From a thermodynamic performance perspective, carbon dioxide ice makers have lower condensing temperatures. At -10℃, their refrigeration efficiency is 12%-18% higher than Freon models. Especially in industrial ice-making scenarios, Focusun CO₂ industrial ice makers can produce 1-300 tons of ice per day, with energy consumption reduced by more than 20%. Freon models, limited by the characteristics of the refrigerant, are prone to efficiency degradation under high load operation, making them more suitable for small commercial scenarios.

Applicable Scenarios: Precise Matching of Needs is the Optimal Solution

 In commercial scenarios, if the daily ice production is less than 5 tons (such as coffee shops and small restaurants), the low initial investment and simple maintenance of Freon ice machines remain attractive. However, for industrial scenarios such as food processing and seafood cold chain, as well as high-end commercial venues with high environmental protection requirements, Focusun CO₂ ice machines are a better choice. Their case studies include Buckingham Palace in the UK and large-scale seafood processing bases, fully validating their adaptability to different scenarios.

The Authoritative Choice: Focusun Ice Machines' Technical Guarantee

As an industry leader with 18 patented technologies, Focusun Refrigeration has established a comprehensive technology system from R&D to implementation. Customized solutions are available for different needs: small CO₂ ice machines are recommended for commercial scenarios, balancing environmental protection and cost; high-efficiency models are offered for industrial scenarios to meet large-scale ice production needs. A comprehensive after-sales network ensures long-term stable operation of the equipment, fulfilling its global service commitment.

Conclusion: Selection Recommendations and Future Trends

In the short term, Freon ice machines may be a viable option for small-scale commercial applications; however, considering policy trends and long-term operating costs, CO₂ ice machines are the inevitable direction. If you require recommendations for commercial ice machines or industrial ice-making solutions, Focusun Refrigeration will leverage its technical expertise to provide you with suitable solutions, achieving both environmental benefits and efficiency.