Magnetic cooling could offer a new alternative to conventional refrigeration technology. At a supermarket in Darmstadt, a German startup is testing a system that cools without traditional refrigerants, using magnets, water and special metal alloys instead.

The technology comes as retailers and industry face growing pressure to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Cooling systems are among the biggest energy users in food retail, while demand for sustainable cooling solutions is rising across sectors ranging from supermarkets to data centers and medical technology.

With plans to scale up production and expand into new markets, the company is targeting a share of the fast-growing global cooling industry. Whether magnetic cooling can compete with established refrigeration systems may have implications far beyond the supermarket aisle.