As customers place greater emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental impact, it is important to provide clear, data-backed insights that support confident, low-risk decisions to lower lifecycle emissions in walk-ins. Supermarkets account for approximately 3% of total electricity use in industrialized countries, with refrigeration systems representing the largest share of energy consumption within these facilities. Climate friendly and efficient heating and cooling can therefore make a major difference. We are sharing sustainability research conducted on our patented FUSIONFRAME ® walk-in rail.
To better understand the full impact of the insulated panel design, KPS Global® partnered with a third-party firm, Etanomics Service GmbH, to evaluate the carbon footprint of FUSIONFRAME compared to traditional wood frame walk-ins.
Measure of Carbon Impact on Walk-In Coolers and Freezers
The analysis focused on two key areas that define walk-in cooler and freezers total carbon footprint. The first is material impact, which includes the emissions associated with extracting, producing and transporting the raw materials used in the panel framing system. The second is operational and use impact, which reflects the energy required to maintain temperature over the life of the walk-in.
Looking at both categories together provides a more accurate and practical understanding of sustainability performance. It ensures the focus is not just on what goes into manufacturing the product, but how it performs overtime.
FUSIONFRAME Reduces Carbon Emissions Over the Lif of a Walk-In
Across multiple walk-in cooler and freezer applications like a dairy cooler, bakery freezer, seafood prep, produce cooler, etc., the results were consistent:
- FUSIONFRAME reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by approximately 30% compared to traditional wood frame panels.
- Lower heat loss directly reduces carbon emissions.
- Each installation delivers meaningful, measurable CO2 reduction over the envelope’s lifecycle.
These findings reinforce that panel design is not a minor detail. It not only affects the cold storage lifecycle but plays a direct role in reducing emissions at scale.
Addressing Carbon Emissions from Operating a Walk-In
One of the most important insights from the study is that operational energy use is a major contributor to total emissions. This is where FUSIONFRAME delivers a clear advantage.
By reducing thermal bridging within the panel structure, FUSIONFRAME lowers heat transfer throughout the walk-in envelope. When less heat enters the cold interior, refrigeration does not have to work as hard to maintain temperature. Over time, this directly reduces energy consumption and the associated carbon emissions.
This relationship between thermal performance and energy use is the primary driver behind the overall lifecycle reduction.
Why Performance Matters More in Walk-In Freezers
The benefits of improved panel performance become even more pronounced in walk-in freezers. These environments operate with a larger temperature difference between the interior space and outside ambient air. From the thermodynamic theory, increasing the temperature difference between systems increases the rate of heat transfer, and typically requires greater energy input to sustain the imposed temperature gradient.
Because FUSIONFRAME is designed to reduce heat transfer, the resulting energy savings and emissions reductions are amplified in high-load applications. This makes panel performance important in freezer environments where efficiency makes even more of an impact.
Designed for Long-term Impact
Sustainability in cold storage is not achieved through a single factor. It requires a balance of material selection, engineering and long-term operational performance.
FUSIONFRAME insulated panels are designed and engineered to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by approximately 30% compared to traditional wood frame panels. This is based on material inputs, modeled thermal performance and defined lifecycle assumptions.
The result is an insulated panel solution that supports lower emissions while maintaining the reliability and walk-in frame performance that satisfies our customers’ needs.
Meeting Sustainability Goals with FUSIONFRAME
As sustainability expectations continue to evolve, clarity and transparency matter. This research reinforces a practical takeaway: improving panel performance is one of the most effective ways to reduce the overall carbon footprint of a walk-in.
FUSIONFRAME provides a proven approach to achieving that outcome. It enables customers to reduce energy use, lower emissions and move forward with confidence in their cold storage investment.
At KPS Global, sustainability is not a separate initiative. It is part of how we think, design and manufacture temperature-controlled solutions. By continuing to innovate, we are helping customers reduce their carbon impact while moving the cold storage industry forward. Check out our sustainable solutions page to learn more about our environmental objectives, or contact our team today.
