ROXSTAsmart – Sustainable refrigeration for REWE Mannheim
Together with KOCH Kälteanlagenbau GmbH, TEKO has realized an innovative project: a new, energy-efficient refrigeration system for the REWE store in Mannheim-Lindenhof – a strong statement for sustainable solutions.
REWEs requirements were clearly defined
The CO₂ system had to be installed without disrupting the retirement home above or the neighboring businesses. The building envelope had to remain visually intact, and both the gas cooler and the rack system had to operate quietly – especially since residents live just 10 meters away in this densely populated area.
During day-to-day operations, 25-meter-long chilled display cases had to be relocated. At the same time, the butcher’s department was expanded and the sales area enlarged – all without any closure of the store.
Installing the radial gas cooler was particularly demanding. Placement on the roof was not an option for safety and architectural reasons, and the previous pipe routing would have blocked the escape route for the retirement home next door.
Close coordination with the property owner and other trades was therefore essential. In the end, the gas cooler was lifted in almost horizontally with a crane.
Another key task was managing waste heat efficiently. The warm exhaust air is now discharged onto the adjacent parking deck, with a short-circuit flow of air excluded. The one-meter duct section includes a silencer. Fire protection, sprinklers, smoke detectors, and communication with the fire brigade and fire safety inspector were crucial considerations throughout.
Coordination with architects, structural engineers, planners, shell construction firms, and a core drilling company was critical – requiring exceptional teamwork to balance the different requirements of all parties involved.
Significant benefits for REWE
The new gas cooler is located in the building’s basement, shielded from direct sunlight. As a result, it benefits from cooler ambient air year-round and significantly reduces energy consumption. Access to the refrigeration system is now much easier too, as no other rental units need to be entered.
So far, REWE has given exclusively positive feedback. Despite multiple external challenges, the store was successfully “cooled” right on schedule on October 29, 2024. The system currently achieves a ΔT of 3K compared to outside temperatures – an excellent performance for this installation setup.
An intensive 11-week project with a strong team
The project ran for 11 weeks, with KOCH’s dedicated team on site throughout. At peak times, up to 13 specialists worked simultaneously to manage the diverse tasks.
The collaboration between TEKO and KOCH demonstrates how targeted solutions can drive greater efficiency in the food retail sector – an important step toward sustainability.
ROXSTAsmart: 79 kW MT, 24 kW LT
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Radial gas cooler PCR: 170 kW
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4 EC fans, 400 V
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6 Whiteline evaporators for chilled rooms (dairy, fruit & vegetables, meat & meat prep, multipurpose prep, and deep-freeze)
