Mitsubishi MTTE Presents New Refrigeration Machines

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Transport Europe GmbH (MTTE) presented its portfolio of transport refrigeration units at the autumn trade fairs NUFAM and transport.CH. The main theme was the electrification of the refrigeration unit portfolio. New products showcased included the fully electric underfloor refrigeration machine TEU, the trailer refrigeration machine TEF 1500 with external battery, and the TEK for vans.

(Osnabrück) The focus of the exhibition was also on distribution traffic: Various customer vehicles equipped with Mitsubishi electric refrigeration systems were shown in real operation, such as the van variant TEK. One of the innovative refrigerated vehicles presented is the so-called “BE-Combi 3500 PLUS System” – a mini semi-trailer combination, currently in pilot use at the local butcher shop Heinzelmann from the Black Forest. Based on a Mercedes van with a refrigerated box body and TEK refrigeration machine, the system has a permissible total weight of 7.0 tons (zzGG) and can be driven with a BE driving license.

The TEK series for distribution traffic with vans stands out compared to its predecessor version due to higher cooling, heating, and air performance, while having more compact dimensions and 20% less evaporator weight. Powered by a 24-volt generator, the unit impresses with compact dimensions while providing a high cooling capacity of up to 4,000 watts at 0 degrees and up to 2,000 watts at minus 20 degrees Celsius. The TEK features a fully hermetic compressor with a completely closed refrigeration circuit that operates with a very small amount of refrigerant. This eliminates the need for annual leak testing, saving maintenance effort and costs.

Machine Ensures Constant Cargo Temperature

Mitsubishi presented the TEK as part of a customer project with the aforementioned BE-Combi reference vehicle. The customer, local butcher shop Heinzelmann, showcased the three-axle Mercedes Sprinter with a refrigerated box and integrated TEK refrigeration system. On daily tours of up to 300 kilometers, the Heinzelmann team delivers meat and sausage products in the Black Forest. The TEK refrigeration machine ensures a constant cargo temperature, especially during the up to 16 unloading stops on the route. An external battery and door contact sensors ensure that the cooling operation continues after the goods are taken out and the door is closed, even when the van’s engine is turned off.

“The highlight of the BE-Combi 3500 PLUS System is that this combination can be driven with a BE driving license and is also toll-free, which benefits the operator,” says Sascha Kramer, Managing Director of BE-Combi Deutschland GmbH. Since the permissible total weight is limited to 7,000 kilograms, this BE combination can be driven with both an old (before 01-2013) and a new (after 01-2013) BE driving license. “Our drivers do not need a truck driving license for this vehicle, which makes us significantly more flexible in personnel planning,” says Rainer Scheurenbrand, Managing Director of the local butcher shop Heinzelmann. “In addition, with the TEK from Mitsubishi, we have a very energy-efficient cooling system that helps reduce noise and exhaust emissions. As a sustainably operating company, we place great value on this.”

The local butcher shop Heinzelmann is also gradually converting its fleet to electric vehicles. “Our fully electric Mitsubishi refrigeration systems fit perfectly into this concept,” says MTTE sales employee Patrick Willenberger, who is responsible for the BE-Combi project at Mitsubishi.

Further Expanding Service Network in Europe

As the European general importer of Japanese Mitsubishi refrigeration systems, the Osnabrück-based company MTTE is continuously expanding its product portfolio and service network in Europe. The focus of MTTE’s expansion is the strategy for the gradual electrification of all device classes – from van refrigeration machines to trailer refrigeration units. “With our attractive portfolio, we meet the demand for economical and environmentally friendly solutions for transport refrigeration. We actively support our customers in the gradual decarbonization of their refrigerated vehicle fleets,” emphasizes MTTE Managing Director Björn Reckhorn.

Photo: © Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MTTE)