Having previously partnered with Sobeys on a similar project, CIMCO was chosen to build and install the refrigeration system for the new CFC facility, which opened in June 2023. The result: CIMCO’s largest CO₂ system in Alberta to date, simultaneously supporting Sobeys’ ongoing transition to low-emission operations across its supply chain while meeting the complex cooling needs of a technology-enabled, automated distribution facility.
The Voilà Expansion/ Expanding Access Through Voilà
As Canada's second-largest food retailer, Sobeys manages over 1,000 retail stores across multiple banners – Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawton's Drug Stores. . In 2018, Sobeys partnered with Ocado Group to launch Voilà—its home delivery and curbside pickup platform, powered by automation and Smart Platform technology.
The Rocky View Customer Fulfillment Centre marks Sobeys' third such facility in Canada, building on the success of earlier implementations in the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal. This facility serves communities across Alberta through home delivery and curbside pickup.
The centre is planned to employ approximately 1,000 people once fully ramped up. It features automated handling systems and temperature-controlled zones designed to support product quality and service consistency, delivering a reliable, quality-driven experience for Voilà customers.
A Sustainable Cooling Solution
The new CO2 refrigeration system installed at the Alberta CFC aligns perfectly with Sobeys' published sustainability vision to "Empower all to live sustainably in thriving communities." The company has established sustainability pillars focused on People, Planet, and Products, with climate action as a core priority.
Company-wide, Sobeys has been moving toward carbon dioxide installations to serve its refrigeration needs, systemically eliminating fluorinated refrigerants (f-gases) from its warehouses and retail stores.
The environmental benefits are significant, as CO2 is a natural refrigerant with a negligible Global Warming Potential (GWP), thus strongly supporting Sobeys' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and reducing emissions.
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About the System
CIMCO manufactured a transcritical CO2 refrigeration system with an impressive 580-ton capacity for the Rocky View facility. This system cools multiple critical areas within the automated warehouse, including freezer storage, holding cooler, and the processing zones where groceries are sorted for delivery.
The comprehensive installation features twenty-six evaporators, two transcritical refrigeration racks, gas coolers, and a recirculator vessel – all built with CRN certification to comply with Canadian regulatory standards. Throughout the facility, this specialized equipment maintains precise temperature control, ensuring food safety while generating a significantly lower environmental impact compared to traditional refrigeration systems.
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Heat Recovery Innovation
Perhaps one of the most notable aspects of the installation is its comprehensive heat recovery capability built into the refrigeration system, further reducing costs and emissions. The innovative design captures waste heat from the refrigeration process and repurposes it throughout the facility.
This recovered heat serves multiple functions:
- General building heating;
- Under-floor heating in the freezer section;
- Under-floor heating in the truck loading dock;
- Snow melt systems for exterior walkways; and
- In-slab heating for sidewalks from the road to the parking lot.
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Ongoing Support
Maintenance remains critical for a system of this scale. That’s why CIMCO also handles the maintenance and service of this refrigeration system.
"Our specialized expertise in CO2 systems allows us to ensure this critical infrastructure continues to operate efficiently for Sobeys' e-commerce operations," said David Fauser, VP of Sales, Marketing, and Strategy. "This service relationship further strengthens the long-standing partnership focused on performance, reliability, and sustainability”.
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