for better
Cooperativa Obrera,sustainability pioneers,
opted for the refrigerantwith the highest energy
efficiency and lowest
environmental impact:
Opteon™ XP40.

When choosing Opteon™ refrigerants, you are choosing to makethe difference.
Founded in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, on October 31, 1920, today it
has 98 years of experience and over 1’900,000 associates. Presentin the provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Rio Negro and Neuquén,
Cooperativa Obrera is a network of 130 supermarkets, most of which
operate with refrigerant R-404A.
Delivering their mission to “Satisfy the economic, social, and culturalneeds of the population, by providing adequate balance between
service quality and price economy”, the Cooperativa Obrera is ruled byguidelines arising from its Seven Cooperative Principles. The seventh
principle refers to the Interest in the Community, putting the entity
into action through four pragmatic axes: environment, food andhealth, community involvement, and education and culture.

On the other hand, the Cooperativa decided to estimate, together
with the National Technology University – Regional Bahía Blanca
School (Universidad Tecnológica Nacional - Facultad Regional BahíaBlanca) (UTN-FRBB), its Carbon Footprint. This indicator measures
the impact on global warming caused by emissions of greenhousegases (GHG). Today, they are working on the introduction of newtechnologies enabling energy savings and, therefore, a smaller
environmental impact. Some examples are the replacement of theircurrent illumination network with a LED-based system, andinstallation of glass doors in the supermarket display cases.
As proof of their quest in reducing their environmental impact, thechain management has decided to switch to Chemours’ refrigerants,
after knowing the latest advances and options in refrigerants withlow global warming potential (GWP), and zero ozone depletion
potential (ODP).

Opteon™

Refrigerants
The central refrigeration system is composed by three 10-hp Dorincompressors, with common suction set at average evaporation
temperature of -14°C. The supermarket medium temperature
circuits – such as diary, fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry – areconnected to the suction section.
For this test, refrigerant R-404A, filters and oil, which were recently
changed, were recovered, and there was no need to replace them, as
they were fully compatible with the new refrigerant. The system waspurged to vacuum and charged with Opteon™ XP40; then, alladjustments required were made to run the test.

After the refrigerants team met with the Cooperativa Obrera
technical staff, an initial test was prepared in to be run in branch
store 18, to challenge the new low-GWP refrigerant, andstate-of-the-art Chemours’ refrigeration technology: Opteon™
XP40 (R-449A).
Opteon™ XP40 is a zero ODP refrigerant, with low global warming
impact. Based on hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), this refrigerant isdesigned to replace the R-22 and R-404A in medium and low
temperature direct expansion systems.

Opt for a better world
With the planet as inspiration, Cooperativa Obrera is the firstsupermarket in Argentina taking a leap to sustainability incommercial refrigeration.
For Cooperativa Obrera the environmental commitment is an
important matter, and one of the most relevant to start this hugechange, which is an inspiriting example for the whole region. The
Technical Area of Cooperativa Obrera explained the reason to use
Opteon™ XP40: “Besides advantages of having a lower
environmental impact, we were interested because this is anefficient gas, as related to energy consumption, enabling savings
up to 12%. We sent technical information of some of our stores
and, together with Chemours, we chose the best option to perform
our first retrofit. The Chemours team also offered consultation andtraining for our technicians. As Opteon™ was the solution selected,
the project consisted of retrofitting the low-temperaturecondensing unit, and the medium temperature central unit.

The refrigeration system had a reduction of 12% in energy
consumption, representing an average of 12,900 kwh/year during
the monitoring period. Opteon™ has zero ODP, which means nodamage to the ozone layer, and low GWP index, meaning that it is along-term option. Its ASHRAE safety designation is A1:
non-flammable and non-toxic.
Opteon™ needs no mechanical components replacements; however,
it is recommended to work with POE. Finally, the retrofit cost is lessthan 5% of the total investment in new equipment.

Opt for efficiency
Opteon™ XP40 proved being an excellent option to replace
refrigerant R-404A, as besides reducing the ecological footprint in65%, energy savings for 12% were achieved while providing therefrigeration capacity required.

Opt for benefits
Compared with refrigerant R-404A, it was found that, thanks to its
thermodynamical characteristics, Opteon™ XP40 had a higher
capacity to absorb the thermal load in evaporators, reachingtemperatures desired more quickly. This translates into
compressors running for less hours in the same period, and havingenergy savings thanks to the reduced consumption. Based on theabove, with the equipment running for less hours, their useful life isextended and maintenance costs are reduced.

To get more information about the Opteon™ family, low GWP
products, visit opteon.com.ar

The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. It is intended for use by persons having technical skill, at their own
discretion and risk. Because conditions of product use are outside our control, Chemours makes no warranties, express or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any use of thisinformation. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patents or patent applications.
©2019 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Opteon™ and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo aretrademarks of The Chemours Company