{"id":948,"date":"2026-06-25T11:54:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T10:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jpsil.co.uk\/blog\/?p=948"},"modified":"2026-06-25T12:58:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:58:39","slug":"refrigerated-containers-cold-storage-built-from-shipping-containers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jpsil.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/06\/25\/refrigerated-containers-cold-storage-built-from-shipping-containers\/","title":{"rendered":"Refrigerated Containers: Cold Storage Built from Shipping Containers"},"content":{"rendered":"

As global demand for temperature-controlled storage continues to surge, refrigerated containers<\/a> \u2014 or “reefers” \u2014 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<\/a> and expected to nearly double by 2034, the industry shows no sign of cooling down.<\/p>\n

What Are Refrigerated Containers?<\/h2>\n

Refrigerated containers are purpose-built or converted ISO shipping containers fitted with integrated mechanical refrigeration systems. Commonly known as reefer containers<\/strong>, they are designed to maintain precise internal temperatures throughout transit or stationary storage \u2014 making them essential infrastructure for any business handling temperature-sensitive goods.<\/p>\n

Available in standard ISO dimensions<\/a> of 20ft and 40ft, these units can operate across a wide temperature range \u2014 typically from as low as -60\u00b0C (-76\u00b0F) up to +20\u00b0C (68\u00b0F) \u2014 covering everything from ambient chilled storage through to deep-freeze applications.<\/p>\n

Who Uses Refrigerated Containers?<\/h2>\n

The applications for refrigerated containers span a remarkably wide range of sectors. In food and beverage<\/strong> \u2014 which accounts for around 66% of cold chain logistics equipment demand<\/a> \u2014 reefers play a critical role in transporting and storing fresh produce, meat, dairy<\/strong> and seafood<\/strong>. But the use cases extend well beyond supermarket supply chains.<\/p>\n

\"Pharmaceutical<\/figure>\n

Pharmaceutical companies<\/strong> rely on refrigerated containers to store and move vaccines, biologics and temperature-sensitive medicines<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

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“Demand for temperature-sensitive products is soaring \u2014 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.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Global Market Insights, Cold Chain Logistics Equipment Market Report, 2025<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

JP Containers: Building and Supplying Refrigerated Containers in the UK<\/h2>\n
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For UK businesses looking for a domestic manufacturer with end-to-end capability, JP Containers<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 based in Northwich, Cheshire \u2014 design, build and supply refrigerated containers to meet a broad range of operational needs.<\/p>\n

JP Containers’ refrigerated units are available for both chilled and frozen applications, covering the full temperature range of -60\u00b0C to +20\u00b0C. 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<\/a> available from JP Containers’ in-house testing facility.<\/p>\n

The company offers all grades of refrigerated container \u2014 from static ambient storage units running on a standard single-phase 240V supply right through to full CSC-certified<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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“Our refrigerated containers are designed for the carrying and storage of temperature-sensitive items \u2014 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.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 JP Containers, jpsil.co.uk\/content\/refrigerated-containers<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Second-hand refrigerated containers \u2014 often referred to as second-hand reefers<\/strong> \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

The Case for Purpose-Built Refrigerated Containers<\/h2>\n

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 \u2014 crucially \u2014 they are built to internationally recognised ISO standards, meaning transport by road, rail, or sea is straightforward.<\/p>\n

For businesses navigating the demands of modern food safety regulations<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

To explore JP Containers’ full range of refrigerated container solutions \u2014 including specifications, modifications and second-hand refurbished units \u2014 visit: www.jpsil.co.uk\/content\/refrigerated-containers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Further Reading<\/h2>\n

Laboratory Containers<\/a>
Acoustic Containers<\/a>
Refrigerated Container wiki<\/a><\/p>\n

Enquire About Our Containerised Generator Sets<\/h2>\n

Tel: +44 (0)1606 633023
Email: sales@jpsil.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n