Ultra-low temperature freezers -86°C to -150°C

Device types at a glance

The range is divided into three main categories. -86°C ULT upright freezers are the most frequently used ULT devices in the laboratory: upright, with volumes from 7 to over 960 litres, in versions with conventional cascades, dual cooling systems or frequency-controlled compressors. ULT chest freezers offer a space-saving alternative for large sample volumes: -86°C chests are suitable for standard applications, while -150°C chests enable true cryopreservation without liquid nitrogen. Accessories such as WLAN data loggers and alarm forwarding systems complement the range for seamless temperature monitoring and GMP-compliant documentation.

Cooling technology: from the classic cascade principle to energy-saving models

All ULT devices operate using a two-stage cascade principle: the first compressor circuit pre-cools to approx. -40°C, allowing the second to reach -86°C. In practice, devices are operated at -75°C to -80°C to buffer temperature fluctuations when the door is opened. Further developments of the classic cascade include VIP insulation panels for reduced housing thickness, frequency-controlled compressors for demand-based energy use, and dual cooling systems with two independent compressor circuits — if one circuit fails, the second maintains the storage temperature permanently at -70°C to -80°C.

Areas of application

ULT devices are standard in molecular biology, pharmaceutical research, biotechnology and clinical diagnostics: storage of DNA, RNA and proteins, biobanking of cell lines and primary tissues, intermediate storage of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, as well as CAR-T and cell therapy programmes. In GMP-regulated environments, devices are qualified (IQ/OQ/PQ); data loggers with alarm forwarding via WLAN, telephone or SMS ensure seamless temperature logging.

Ultra-low temperature freezers cover the temperature range in which biological and chemical processes largely come to a standstill. The decisive threshold is -70°C: below this, tissue samples, microorganisms, stock collections, enzymes, DNA and RNA can be stored stably for years. At temperatures below -130°C, water assumes a glass-like structure and all chemical processes stop completely — this state of cryopreservation is achieved with -150°C chest freezers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ultra-Low Temperature Chest Freezers

We have compiled the most important questions about the selection, technology and use of ultra-low temperature chest freezers — from choosing between a chest freezer and an upright freezer to the differences between storage at -86°C and cryogenic storage at -150°C.