Sustainability ULT Freezers

Even environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient Ultra low temperature freezers (also known as ULT freezer or -80°C freezer) still consume a significant amount of energy as they maintain extremely low temperatures 24/7. With today‘s high energy costs and focus on the environment, energy conservation has become even more important in the lab.

Sustainable Freezer | Product Life Cycle

How can I find a sustainable ULT freezer?

Energy savings
Eco-friendly ULT freezers are designed to help you saving energy and reducing your carbon footprint without any compromise in sample security. Keep in mind, reliable -80°C storage conditions require energy based on physical law. Smaller compressor systems require less energy but at some level of scale reduction, these smaller systems become non-dynamic. This means, the -80°C within the freezer are rarely met anymore and the recovery rates after door openings expand to several hours. As a result, the high value sample within the ULT freezer may suffer from inadequate temperature conditions.

Cooling liquids
The coolant or cooling liquid within a ULT freezer is used to cool down and to regulate the temperature. To reduce global warming, there is a clear tendency towards switching from classic cooling liquids as R508B and R404A to green or natural cooling (e.g. R170, R290). These green coolants are future-proof and have a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of nearly zero. This is also supported by European Union Regulation (EU_517/2014).

Eppendorf launched its first ULT freezer with green cooling in 2008, far earlier than most of our competitors. We now have more than10 years of experience with these coolants in R&D, production, logistics, and service in the field.

Longevity
The longer the life of a freezer, the more favorable for you as an user and for our environment. The price often plays a decisive role when purchasing a new freezer. Keep in mind the potential life time of the instrument. What about the cost-of-ownership over the years? Extend the life of your freezer by regular cleaning and inspection, regular maintenance, and repair and exchange of spare parts.

Learn more about the product life cycle:

Research & Development

Supply by 100% renewable energy
Focus on electronic documentation
R&D and production moved into new facilities with state-of-the-art insulation, saving heating energy and power
ENERGY STAR^® partner
ACT/My Green Lab partner
Continuous improvement of ergonomic design of freezer door handle

Production

Assembly of ULT freezers and stainless steel freezer racks by 100% renewable energy
Green cooling liquids since 2008 with extremely low global warming potential
Green insulation foam production
Production moved into new facilities with state-of-the-art insulation, saving heating energy and power
Heat output during final individual unit testing discharges into the building heating system
Plastic and cardboard compactors introduced in concert waste rebate system in place
Compliance with local requirements for waste management (collection of electronic waste like circuit boards, recycling via authorized recycling organizations) and internal guidelines

Logistics

Shipment by cargo ship to reduce CO₂ footprint
Local warehouses to reduce drop-shipments
Packaging parts have increasing share of recycled origin
Packaging is 100% recyclable
Packaging pallet has integrated ramp for ergonomic removal of freezer from pallet

Marketing/Sales

Focus on electronic media
Focus on certified paper for print material
Water-based ink
Carbon neutrally printing of marketing material
Supply by 100% renewable energy in marketing department
Freezers on shows do not cool down to save energy

Usage

Reduced energy consumption combined with efficient cooling systems
Water-cooling as option for re-usage of energy
Efficient insulation to reduce energy consumption
Insulated inner doors with sealing to keep warm air out of the freezer
Increasing number of freezers has a special design for noise reduction for convenient working conditions near the instrument
Longevity for many years of usage before disposal