Transcritical CO2 Systems Market Report Scope & Overview:

The Transcritical CO2 Systems Market size was valued at USD 38.09 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 126.88 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 16.23% over the forecast period of 2025-2032.

The transcritical CO2 systems market growth is driven by the increasing demand for eco-friendly refrigeration and cooling solutions. With increasing concerns about environmental sustainability, industries are turning to CO2 refrigeration systems owing to their energy-efficient and eco-friendly nature. Strong infrastructure has helped North America's transcritical CO2 market lead in technological developments and innovations. For applications such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and retail that require constant temperature control, transcritical CO2 systems are gaining in popularity.

The transcritical CO2 systems market trends include CO2-based cooling systems, which focus primarily on energy efficiency, carbon footprints, and stringent environmental regulations. As the move towards sustainable cooling systems creates new opportunities, the use of transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems is set to grow. Key players are emphasizing improving system efficiency, such as improvements in the design of each component, and the control system, which is making these solutions highly adopted in commercial and industrial applications. CO2 refrigeration systems is expanding further as corporate social responsibility towards the environment is an operational efficiency approach.

In September 2023: SWEP launched the B285H, a high-capacity brazed plate heat exchanger (BPHE) for Transcritical CO₂ Refrigeration Systems. Designed to handle up to 550 kW and 140 bar pressure, it offers a compact, efficient solution for supermarkets, heat recovery, and heat pumps. This innovation supports the shift to eco-friendly refrigerants like CO₂.

Transcritical CO2 Systems Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Transcritical CO₂ Systems Gain Momentum Amid Global Push for Sustainable Refrigeration and Regulatory Compliance

Carbon dioxide based transcritical CO₂ systems provide zero ODP for the refrigerant and a very low refrigerant GWP of only 1. As such, they are considered a very sustainable replacement for such substances that deplete the ozone layer and are now subject to phase-out worldwide (HFCs and CFCs). To align with environmental objectives, many organizations are regulating the movement of industries to more sustainable refrigeration technologies through existing international agreements like (Kigali Amendment and the strong F-Gas Regulation (EU).

For Instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will enforce new regulations in January 2025 requiring low-GWP refrigerants in new commercial facilities. In response, companies like Hussmann are increasing production capacity for transcritical CO₂ systems, supporting both regulatory mandates and the broader push for corporate environmental responsibility.

 In December 2023, Hussmann revealed plans to expand its transcritical CO₂ rack system manufacturing at its Suwanee, Georgia, facility. This strategic move is designed to address the rising demand fueled by forthcoming EPA regulations and the growing industry transition toward eco-friendly refrigerants.

Restraint

• High initial investment in transcritical co₂ systems is a barrier for SMEs with long-term benefits

The high initial investment required for transcritical CO₂ systems presents a significant barrier to adoption, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These systems require dedicated components and technological sophistication,  resulting in higher initial costs than traditional refrigeration systems. Such financial challenges may discourage many capital-constrained companies, especially in growing regions. In addition, these systems are complicated and require qualified specialists to set up and service, which drives costs even higher. However, long-term advantages like energy productivity, lower operating costs, and ecological sustainability sometimes compensate for initial investments. Encouraging wider adoption will require innovative financing solutions and government incentives to absorb some of the financial burden for SMEs and support improved refrigeration sustainability.

For instance, SWEP introduced the B285H, an ultra-pressure brazed plate heat exchanger designed for transcritical CO₂ applications. This innovation aims to reduce system footprint and ownership costs, making transcritical CO₂ systems more accessible and cost-effective for businesses.

Transcritical CO2 Systems Market Segmentation Analysis

By Function

The refrigeration segment dominated the market and accounted for 72% of the transcritical CO2 systems market share in 2024. CO2-based refrigeration systems are gaining traction in multiple industries, especially food & beverage, retail, and industrial refrigeration sectors. The eco-friendly characteristic, efficiency, and high-temperature operation capacities of the CO2 systems make them the perfect candidate for commercial refrigeration (supermarkets, warehouses). This segment is further bolstered by the increasing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient refrigeration solutions. This, together with regulations that are pushing for natural refrigerants, is also expediting the move towards CO2-based systems, ensuring they will remain dominant in the market in the future.

The heating segment in the transcritical CO2 systems market is the fastest-growing due to rising demand for energy-efficient, sustainable heating solutions. CO2 is an increasing natural refrigerant due to its low GWP compared with conventional refrigerants. This coincides with worldwide efforts for green technologies. In a similar vein, CO2-based heating systems are more efficient at low temperatures, which makes them suited to commercial and residential building applications. This provides strong room for fast adoption as heating is the most dynamic segment in the CO2 systems market, supported by both environmentally forward-leaning motives and rising energy efficiency concerns.

By Application

The retail segment is expected to dominate with a significant share of 52% in 2024. This growth is mainly because of the rising uptake of sustainable refrigeration systems in retail outlets such as grocery stores and grocery stores. Environmental concerns, such as low global warming potential and energy efficiency, assigned to CO2-based refrigeration systems make them globally favorable. As such, retailers have begun adopting these solutions to uphold their sustainability efforts and shrink their carbon footprints. In turn, retail has adopted Transcritical CO2 systems at the greatest rate, so the retail sector is a key part of driving Transcritical CO2 growth and use.

The food processing and storage facilities segment is experiencing rapid growth within the transcritical CO2 systems market as there is a rising demand for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly refrigeration solutions. The use of natural refrigerants such as CO2 systems is especially appealing in food processing and storage settings due to the more favorable environmental profile of CO2 compared to traditional refrigerants (HFCs). The world is trying to mitigate carbon emissions and be more sustainable in general,  so food processing plants and cold storage facilities have been gradually implementing CO2 systems to meet the legislation and to be more energy efficient.

Transcritical CO2 Systems Market Regional Outlook

Europe region dominated with a market share of over 48% in 2024. The substantial share held by the region can be attributed to the robust regulatory frameworks in place in the region to promote energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly refrigeration technologies. Particularly in European countries, and especially in the European Union, environmental policies focused on the reduction of carbon emissions have supported the uptake of climate-friendly refrigeration systems. Moreover, the increased need for green and energy-efficient solutions across retail, food processing, and industrial sectors has been further escalating demand for transcritical carbon dioxide systems.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in the transcritical CO2 systems market as it is experiencing rapid industrialisation, growth in environmental awareness, and adoption of sustainable cooling technologies. The increasing urbanization in the region, along with the efforts of the government to minimize their carbon emissions, has propelled the demand for energy-efficient refrigeration systems. Japan, China & India are also investing heavily in green tech & green infrastructure.

In 2024, Japan led the Asia Pacific transcritical CO₂ systems market, mainly due to the incorporation of advanced technology, energy-efficient targets, and stringent environmental regulations. Their manufacturers are leading the way in CO₂-based refrigeration solutions, reinforcing national sustainability targets. Surging demand from supermarkets and cold storage units, and favourable government incentives, also boost the market demand. Its capabilities in R&D also allow Japan to become a regional centre of innovation.

North America held a significant share in the transcritical CO2 systems market owing to the growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient refrigeration solutions in the retail, food, and pharmaceutical sectors. Demand for CO2-based systems in the region is being propelled by stringent regulatory commitments to curb carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. The CO2 refrigeration systems market is predicted to see a rise in installations in the U.S. and Canada, as the major players and manufacturers in the regions are significantly investing in eco-friendly technologies.

In 2024, the U.S. transcritical CO₂ systems market was valued at USD 5.21 billion and is projected to reach USD 17.52 billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 16.37%. The rapid development is driven mainly by the rising incorporation of sustainable refrigeration alternatives in retail, food processing and cold storage sectors. Secondly, it is the stricker environmental regulations and the phase out of refrigerants with high globals warming potential (GWP) that are bringing us to the door of CO₂ systems much faster.

Key Players in Transcritical CO2 Systems Market are:

Transcritical CO2 Systems Companies are SCM Frigo S.P.A., Panasonic Corporation, Emerson Climate Technologies, Danfoss, Bitzer, Carnot Refrigeration, Hillphoenix, Inc., Green & Cool World Refrigeration AB, Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Teko GmbH

Recent Development

• In October 2024: Bitzer presented the ECOLINE 8-cylinder reciprocating compressor featuring the IQ MODULE CM-RC-02 at Chillventa 2024, highlighting its high efficiency for transcritical CO₂ applications.

• In May 2024: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration announced the launch of sustainable CO₂ refrigeration systems in North America, featuring CO₂ compressor racks and heat pumps, with plans to introduce condensing units in the near future.

• In April 2024: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration launched the CO₂ Efficiency Booster Skid, designed to deliver notable energy efficiency enhancements for refrigeration systems.