As global demand for temperature-controlled storage continues to surge, refrigerated containers — or “reefers” — built from ISO shipping containers are fast becoming the go-to solution for businesses across food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and beyond. With the worldwide cold chain logistics equipment market valued at over $89 billion in 2024 and expected to nearly double by 2034, the industry shows no sign of cooling down.
What Are Refrigerated Containers?
Refrigerated containers are purpose-built or converted ISO shipping containers fitted with integrated mechanical refrigeration systems. Commonly known as reefer containers, they are designed to maintain precise internal temperatures throughout transit or stationary storage — making them essential infrastructure for any business handling temperature-sensitive goods.
Available in standard ISO dimensions of 20ft and 40ft, these units can operate across a wide temperature range — typically from as low as -60°C (-76°F) up to +20°C (68°F) — covering everything from ambient chilled storage through to deep-freeze applications.
Who Uses Refrigerated Containers?
The applications for refrigerated containers span a remarkably wide range of sectors. In food and beverage — which accounts for around 66% of cold chain logistics equipment demand — reefers play a critical role in transporting and storing fresh produce, meat, dairy and seafood. But the use cases extend well beyond supermarket supply chains.
Pharmaceutical companies rely on refrigerated containers to store and move vaccines, biologics and temperature-sensitive medicines. Specialist chemicals requiring controlled environments, documents needing stable conditions and even certain explosive materials requiring temperature regulation are all legitimate candidates for refrigerated container storage.
“Demand for temperature-sensitive products is soaring — from mRNA vaccines requiring ultra-low temperatures to fresh organic produce. The pressure on logistics providers to invest in proper refrigerated infrastructure has never been greater.”
— Global Market Insights, Cold Chain Logistics Equipment Market Report, 2025
JP Containers: Building and Supplying Refrigerated Containers in the UK
For UK businesses looking for a domestic manufacturer with end-to-end capability, JP Containers — based in Northwich, Cheshire — design, build and supply refrigerated containers to meet a broad range of operational needs.
JP Containers’ refrigerated units are available for both chilled and frozen applications, covering the full temperature range of -60°C to +20°C. Containers are supplied in standard 20ft and 40ft ISO dimensions and are built to comply with current food hygiene standards, with full CSC (Convention for Safe Containers) certification available from JP Containers’ in-house testing facility.
The company offers all grades of refrigerated container — from static ambient storage units running on a standard single-phase 240V supply right through to full CSC-certified shipping containers for active cold chain deployment. Customers can also specify a comprehensive range of modifications including internal alarms and lighting, strip curtains, butchers’ doors and specialist controllers for ease of maintenance.
“Our refrigerated containers are designed for the carrying and storage of temperature-sensitive items — from food and specialist chemicals to documents and explosives requiring temperature control. We supply all grades, from static ambient storage to fully certified CSC shipping containers.”
— JP Containers, jpsil.co.uk/content/refrigerated-containers
Second-hand refrigerated containers — often referred to as second-hand reefers — are also available from JP Containers, with all used units fully refurbished and fitted with the latest easy-maintenance controllers before being supplied to customers.
The Case for Purpose-Built Refrigerated Containers
Compared to conventional cold rooms or fixed refrigerated warehouses, shipping container-based reefer units offer significant advantages in terms of portability, scalability and total cost of ownership. They can be deployed rapidly to site, relocated as operational needs change and — crucially — they are built to internationally recognised ISO standards, meaning transport by road, rail, or sea is straightforward.
For businesses navigating the demands of modern food safety regulations or pharmaceutical cold chain compliance, a purpose-built refrigerated container from a specialist UK manufacturer offers both the technical specification and the documentation trail that auditors and regulators increasingly expect.
To explore JP Containers’ full range of refrigerated container solutions — including specifications, modifications and second-hand refurbished units — visit: www.jpsil.co.uk/content/refrigerated-containers.
Further Reading
Laboratory Containers
Acoustic Containers
Refrigerated Container wiki
Enquire About Our Containerised Generator Sets
Tel: +44 (0)1606 633023
Email: sales@jpsil.co.uk