Which refrigerant should I choose?

Ammonia for >300 kW industrial plants, CO₂ transcritical for ambient <30 °C, HFO or R-449A for smaller loads. Always confirm the local F-gas phase-down first.

What SEC (specific energy consumption) is realistic?

35–70 kWh/m³/yr for chilled storage, 60–120 for frozen. High-efficiency plants with variable-speed compressors and EC fans reach the lower end.

Do I need a HAZOP for ammonia plants?

Yes — mandatory in the EU (Seveso III) and IIAR-recommended in the US. Include HAZOP delivery in the RFQ scope for any NH₃ plant above ~250 kg charge.

Engineering

Technical Specification Guide (Cold Chain)

Q: What SEC (specific energy consumption) is realistic?

35–70 kWh/m³/yr for chilled storage, 60–120 for frozen. High-efficiency plants with variable-speed compressors and EC fans reach the lower end.

Q: Do I need a HAZOP for ammonia plants?

Yes — mandatory in the EU (Seveso III) and IIAR-recommended in the US. Include HAZOP delivery in the RFQ scope for any NH₃ plant above ~250 kg charge.

The technical specification is the heart of every cold-chain RFQ. Vague specs get vague quotes; tight specs get comparable bids and predictable performance.

Launch RFQ Builder All buyer guides

Expert summary

Specify capacity, temperature class, refrigerant, controls, envelope, code compliance and performance guarantees — in that order. Reference ASHRAE, IIAR, EN 378 and ISO 22000 to remove ambiguity.

Capacity & sizing

State storage volume (m³), pallet positions, product throughput (t/day), pull-down time (h) and design cooling load (kW). Use our Cold Room Size Calculator to convert product mass to cooling load.

Temperature classes

Chilled (+2 °C to +8 °C), frozen (−18 °C to −25 °C), deep-frozen (−30 °C and below), blast freezer (−30 °C to −40 °C air-off) and pharma (+2 °C to +8 °C, GDP). State tolerance (±1 °C or ±2 °C) at every location.

Refrigerant selection

Ammonia (R-717), CO₂ (R-744), HFC (R-449A, R-448A), HFO (R-513A, R-1234yf) or hydrocarbons. Match to local F-gas regulations, phase-down schedule and site safety class.

Envelope & doors

PIR/PUR panel thickness (100–200 mm), density (40–42 kg/m³), fire class (B-s2, d0 or better), floor insulation and heating, high-speed doors and air curtains.

Controls & monitoring

PLC/SCADA architecture, IoT sensors, HACCP-compliant data logging, remote alarms, energy sub-metering and integration with the buyer's WMS/ERP.

Codes & standards

ASHRAE 15/34, IIAR 2/6/9, EN 378, ISO 22000, GDP (pharma), F-gas Regulation (EU) 517/2014 and any local mechanical/electrical codes.

Performance guarantees

Pull-down time, temperature stability under peak load, SEC (kWh per m³ per year), noise (dB(A) at 10 m) and refrigerant leak rate (<3%/yr).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How ColdMatch Group works — independent B2B procurement and sourcing platform — ColdMatch Group is an independent B2B procurement and sourcing platform for industrial refrigeration, cold storage and cold-chain projects from USD $250K+, connecting buyers with qualified third-party suppliers, EPC contractors and independent financing providers.

Related resources

Launch RFQ Builder Cold Room Size Calculator Compressor Sizing Calculator Energy-Efficient Refrigeration All buyer guides

Where to go from here

Next steps for your project

Wherever your project stands — early feasibility, budget approval or supplier selection — these are the practical next steps. Every stage is supported by our human expert team, and requesting quotes is free and supplier-neutral for buyers and project owners.

Project preparationAssemble the technical scope, capacity assumptions and documentation suppliers need to quote accurately.Project planning guidesStep-by-step planning guides for cold storage, food processing, blast freezing, pharma and distribution projects.Project financingReview the funding structures used for commercial cold chain investments and prepare a bankable project file.RFQ WizardTurn your requirements into a structured, comparable RFQ routed to qualified international suppliers.