dm-drogerie markt retail chain partners with L∞P by Daikin, in its drive for more sustainability

Sustainable action is deeply rooted at dm-drogerie markt (dm). It is an essential part of the company’s philosophy. Among other things, they want to offer more sustainable product alternatives through a responsible range of products and give their customers the opportunity to shop in a sustainable shop environment.

dm turned to Daikin some years ago to completely rethink the energy management of its network, which has grown to over 2,000 shops today, by using VRV heat pumps. Now Germany's leading drugstore retailer is taking another leap in reducing its environmental impact by going circular for the refrigerant it uses across its shops.

dm-drogerie markt is the first German retailer a Certified Member in the L∞P by Daikin Recover-Reclaim-Reuse program to support circular economy for refrigerants. This process reclaims recovered refrigerants and upcycles them to virgin quality for reuse, making an important contribution to reducing material consumption and ensuring the responsible use of valuable resources. The L∞P by Daikin recover-reclaim-reuse program enables customers like dm to close ‘their’ loop and become even more sustainable.

dm-drogerie markt and Daikin – building on strong partnerships

In 2020 dm executed the first pilot case, where a total of 15.4 kg of R-410A refrigerant was recovered from a refurbished store. This refrigerant was successfully reclaimed and then reused in a dm store in Bad Nauheim. “dm was highly satisfied with the results of the pilot case and the partnership between Koch Kälteanlagenbau GmbH, Schneider Umwelttechnik, Westfalen and Daikin. We plan to speed up the implementation of the program in 2021 to make another important contribution to resource conservation", explains Martin Auer, Head of Building Services Development at dm. The result is that today nearly 60 kgs of refrigerant have already been recovered from the dm network. "We are pleased to pull together with dm as a long-standing partner. L∞P by Daikin Recover-Reclaim-Reuse is a perfect example of how companies can act right now to support a more sustainable future", says Gerald Platzer, Head of Key-Account Daikin Germany Airconditioning GmbH. "We work every day to make our products as energy-efficient as possible, improve the circularity of our products and I’m proud to have this new service to help our partners and customers to further reduce their environmental impact."

L∞P by Daikin – Recover – Reclaim – Reuse

Whenever there are plans to refurbish a dm store, a Daikin planning specialist is appointed to support the process.

Firstly the refrigerant is professionally recovered and collected in recovery cylinders by a dm installation partner.

Then the refrigerant is brought to a reclamation plant to reclaim the refrigerant to virgin quality.

Finally the refrigerant is re-used at the Daikin factory and the reclaimed quantity is administratively allocated to the heat pumps installed in the refurbished dm stores, closing the refrigerant loop for dm.

The whole process is validated by an external audit process to ensure the highest level of compliancy.

Daikin's circular economy (L∞P by Daikin) program with dm © DAIKIN

All Daikin heat pumps which support this principle can easily be recognised by the L∞P by Daikin logo and dm shops will receive a certificate from Daikin to confirm the store  fully supports the use of reclaimed refrigerant. © Daikin

dm store in Bad Nauheim is the first dm store reusing reclaimed refrigerant. © Daikin

A sustainable building concept – without additional costs thanks to L∞P by Daikin

In 2019, Daikin became the first in the industry to use re-use refrigerant for selected VRV units. The success of the L∞P by Daikin program prompted the company to expand the concept last year to include all VRV systems using R-410A refrigerant which are manufactured and sold in the EU*.
On top of that the program is expanded offering customers the service to create a circular economy within their own network.

The principle of refrigerant re-use offers several benefits. L∞P by Daikin reduces the production of new refrigerants by 250,000 kg per year and natural resources are no longer depleted. L∞P by Daikin is also fully supporting the European Green Deal and the F-Gas Regulation.

At the same time, reusing refrigerants instead of purchasing them new, comes at no extra cost, in this way Daikin offers building owners an optimal solution by conserving both ecological and economic resources.

Closing the LOOP: Creating as sustainable future now

By expanding the L∞P by Daikin initiative, Daikin act’s now in order to reach it’s goal of becoming CO₂ neutral by 2050. Daikin is planning a long-term expansion of the program to other products and refrigerants as part of the company's global refrigerant policy. The recovery of R-410A is only the beginning, according to Toshitaka Tsubouchi, vice-president of Daikin Europe: "We extend a hand to all of our partners, installers and customers to join forces and act now to create a circular, European economy. By doing so, every euro invested in reclaimed refrigerant boosts European business and reduces our environmental impact. We believe the L∞P by Daikin principle has the potential to become an industry standard, and will hopefully inspire other HVAC-R manufacturers."

More information on Daikin’s actions: www.daikin.eu/loop-by-daikin

* EU member states, UK, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland

Every year in May we will provide an update of this text.