The CEO and chairman of commercial refrigeration powerhouse Epta said at EuroShop 2026 on Tuesday (24 February) that his company was focused on “not just preserving food, we want to preserve the planet”.
A week on from gaining antitrust authority approval for the acquisition of fellow European refrigeration supplier Hauser, Epta chief Marco Nocivelli took to the stage in Dusseldorf, Germany to herald the coming together of two companies which he said have a clear growth strategies and a commitment to sustainability.
Epta, which works with many retailers across the continent including Morrisons in the UK, was showcasing its range of offerings, its commitment to natural refrigerants, and its aim to help its retailer customers become more energy efficient. Many of Epta’s products run on natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons and CO2.
The topic is of importance to the sector, with European Union legislation effective from March 2024 mandating the complete phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons by 2050, with a decrease in consumption quotas required between 2024 and 2030.
This backdrop meant commercial refrigeration companies exhibiting at EuroShop 2026 were heavily focused on talking up their credentials in this space, with the legislation clearly prompting businesses to take action.
Epta’s key product unveiling during the week at the trade show was its new flagship range, Zenith VP, which comprises vertical positive cabinets by Costan and Bonnet Névé. Energy performance is a key talking point around the product, with its closed models rated Class B – and they use natural refrigerants and reportedly offer “significant energy savings”.
The product is fully integrated with Epta digital services, meaning retailers deploying Zenith can keep track of refrigeration performance and refrigerant usage via dashboards.
The senior team spoke about companies receiving “payback very quickly” when using Zenith because of its energy efficiency. This was common language among suppliers on display across the many halls of EuroShop 2026.
Much of the Epta presentation on Tuesday waxed lyrical about the Hauser acquisition, which although announced in July 2025 has only finally gained approval in the last few days and will be officially active from the beginning of March. Nocivelli was positive about the deal, which creates a €2 billion revenue business, expands the group’s international and commercial footprint, and brings together 10,000 employees under the same banner.
[image credit: Green Retail World]
