Today, Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control solutions for a variety of mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, announced that it will offer its transport customers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa a choice on how and when to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) footprints.

Beginning in January, Thermo King will offer a new line of trailer and self-powered truck units that are energy efficient and reliable and use a next-generation refrigerant that has about half the global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerant currently used. At the same time, for transport customers who want to transition their existing units, Thermo King will offer replacement service through its dealer network. In 2016, Thermo King will then offer the same benefits with vehicle powered truck products.

“Our intent is to offer operators a choice of how and when to lower their GHG footprints without compromising the efficiency, reliability and overall product performance they expect from Thermo King,” said Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “We made a significant investment in research and development, testing and the appropriate ATP1 approvals in order to bring product and service alternatives to market.”

In anticipation of the European Union’s 2014 F-Gas Regulation, Thermo King, in close partnership with refrigerant manufacturer, DuPont, selected R-452A, also known as DuPont™ Opteon® XP44, for this alternative line of transport refrigeration products.

“Since its inception by Thermo King in 1938, the transport refrigeration industry has been using class A1 refrigerants that are safe, non-flammable and have the lowest toxicity,” Pittard said. “R-452A, when used in our products, is the safest, most environmentally responsible and technically and commercially viable solution for transport refrigeration applications. Plus, it has about half the GWP of refrigerants currently used today.”

“The new line of Thermo King products offers the same high level of performance as today’s portfolio, including the same cooling capacity, pull-down and fuel efficiency,” said Dwight Gibson, vice president, Thermo King Europe, Middle East and Africa. “In addition, retrofitting current products with the next generation of refrigerant is a compatible solution, which means that operators can increase their return on investment of units they already own with the least amount of rework, lower fuel consumption and emissions and retaining the residual value of the equipment.”

Thermo King will continue to offer its transport customers its current line of transport refrigeration products and ensure that they receive optimum levels of service throughout the products’ lifecycle and until customers are ready to transition.

Ingersoll Rand Climate Commitment

On September 22, Ingersoll Rand made an environmental commitment to its employees, customers and shareholders, providing a roadmap to significantly increase energy efficiency and reduce our climate impact from our operations and product portfolio by 2030 (with milestones at 2020).

The commitment includes reducing GHG emissions related to its operations by approximately 35 percent by 2020; reducing GHG emissions related to its products by 50 percent by 2020; and investing $500 million in product-related research and development over the next five years to fund the long-term reduction of GHG emissions. This commitment will eliminate approximately 20,850,000 metric tons of CO2e globally by 2020, which is equivalent to the energy used by nearly 2 million homes in one year.

“We care deeply about the impact to the environment and improving the safety and overall quality of life for people,” said Ray Pittard, president of Thermo King. “Our transport refrigeration solutions will contribute to the company’s overall climate commitment while playing an important role in the food and pharmaceutical cold chain, which impacts almost every family around the world.”

Learn More at IAA 2014

Thermo King will be present at the IAA 2014 Show in Hanover, Germany. Join leaders on Wednesday, September 24, at 15.30 #B15 in Hall 27 for a press conference on this topic followed by a social event. Thermo King leaders are available for interviews upon request and by appointment.

About Ingersoll Rand and Thermo King

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands—including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane®—work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. Thermo King Corp. was founded in 1938 and manufactures transport temperature control systems for a variety of mobile applications, including trailers, truck bodies, buses, shipboard containers and railway cars. We are a $12 billion global businesscommitted to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com or www.thermoking.com.

1 The Agreement on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and on the Special Equipment to be Used for such Carriage