What Stirling Ultracold does

Stirling Ultracold, a division of Global Cooling, Inc., designs and manufactures ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers and related cold storage equipment for life science research, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, and government public-health customers. The product line is built on a proprietary free-piston Stirling engine using a helium-charged cycle and natural hydrocarbon refrigerant (R-170 Ethane) rather than traditional compressor-based cascade refrigeration. This architecture delivers 70–75% lower energy consumption, up to 40% lower total cost of ownership, 47% usable storage capacity per footprint, and stable operation across a wide -20°C to -86°C range, with first-mover U.S. EPA SNAP approval (2014) and first ENERGY STAR certification for a ULT freezer (2017) underpinning the sustainability positioning.

The portfolio centers on four ULT models—the portable ULT25NEU (21 kg), the undercounter SU105UE, the upright VAULT100, and the VAULT100 Pro—complemented by laboratory and pharmacy refrigerators, blood bank refrigerators, combination units, Stirling Ultraguard phase change material (PCM) cold storage, and high-density rack systems. Revenue is generated primarily through direct enterprise sales, quote-based institutional pricing, multi-year service contracts under the Stirling UltraCARE program, and a global network of laboratory supply distributors across North America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific. Marketing leans on content (Ultra Insights blog), technical white papers, customer case studies, and five-year sponsorship of the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge with My Green Lab and I2SL.

The company has demonstrated large-scale enterprise adoption, notably 405 freezers deployed across 9,000+ Walgreens pharmacy locations in 49 U.S. states, 63 units across 15 University of North Carolina campuses (Operation Deep Freeze), and exclusive use by the Puerto Rico National Guard for island-wide COVID-19 vaccination. Stirling Ultracold was acquired by BioLife Solutions in May 2021 and subsequently by GCI Holdings in April 2024. Recent strategic moves include a January 2025 high-performance ULT freezer launch, a March 2025 ACT Ecolabel certification, and a May 2025 partnership with Cartken to integrate the ULT25NEU portable freezer with autonomous robots for ultra-low temperature material transport.

Name

Stirling Ultracold

Legal name

Stirling Ultracold, Division of Global Cooling, Inc.

Website

https://stirlingultracold.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Stirling Ultracold manufactures ultra-low temperature freezers using proprietary free-piston Stirling engine technology and natural hydrocarbon refrigerants, serving life science research, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, and government customers with energy-efficient cold chain solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Cold Storage Equipment

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Storage Equipment (IMAHAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pharmaceutical & Biologics Frozen Storage (Ultra-Low/Deep-Freeze) (TLALACAD), Biologics, Vaccines & Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) Storage (TLALABAG), Cold Chain, Cryopreservation & Biologics Storage/Handling Technologies (HLAAAJAN)

Keywords

• Ultra-low temperature freezers
• Laboratory cold storage
• Biopharma cold chain
• Vaccine storage freezers
• Stirling engine refrigeration

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Sales: Sale of ULT freezers including upright models (VAULT100, VAULT100 PRO, SU780XLE), undercounter models (SU105UE), and portable models (ULT25NEU). Revenue generated from direct hardware sales to research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare organizations.
2. Refrigerators and Freezers: Laboratory and pharmacy refrigerators, blood bank refrigerators, and combination refrigerator/freezer units for scientific and healthcare sectors.
3. Accessories and Storage Solutions: Storage rack solutions, ULT storage PCM (Phase Change Materials), and related accessories.
4. Service and Support: Stirling UltraCARE service programs, technical service, warranty protection, and EMEA service support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stirling Ultracold, a division of Global Cooling, Inc., designs and manufactures ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers and related laboratory cold-storage products powered by a proprietary free-piston Stirling engine. The portfolio spans portable, undercounter, and upright ULT freezers (ULT25NEU, SU105UE, VAULT100, VAULT100 Pro, SU780XLE, SU780UE), laboratory and pharmacy refrigerators, blood bank refrigerators, combination refrigerator/freezer units, phase change material (PCM) storage, and high-density storage rack solutions. Freezers use 100% natural hydrocarbon refrigerant (R-170 Ethane) and are sold to research institutions, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals, and government health agencies.

Product overview

Stirling Ultracold, a division of Global Cooling, Inc., manufactures ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers and related cold storage solutions using proprietary free-piston Stirling engine technology. The product portfolio centers on four main ULT freezer models: the portable ULT25NEU for remote and mobile applications, the undercounter SU105UE for space-constrained bench-side storage, and the upright VAULT100 and VAULT100 Pro for high-capacity laboratory use. All ULT freezers operate using natural hydrocarbon refrigerants (R-170 Ethane) rather than traditional compressor-based cascade systems, delivering 70-75% less energy consumption. The company also offers a full line of standard refrigerators and freezers for laboratory, pharmacy, and blood bank applications, plus complementary accessories including phase change material (PCM) storage solutions and high-density storage rack systems. The products are supported by the Stirling UltraCARE service program and solutions including Biologics Storage, 360-Degree Sustainability, and Financial Savings programs. Stirling Ultracold was acquired by BioLife Solutions (2021) and subsequently by GCI Holdings (2024), with manufacturing headquartered in Athens, Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stirling UltraCARE: Service and support program for Stirling Ultracold products
• Stirling Engine
• Stirling Ultraguard
• VAULT100
• VAULT100 Pro
• ULT25NEU
• SU105UE
• SU780XLE

Products and services

• ULT25NEU Portable ULT Freezer Portable ultra-low temperature freezer (21 kg/46 lbs) using Stirling engine technology for precise sample storage anywhere with a power source. Can be powered via AC outlet, 12V vehicle power, external battery, or solar panels. Used by laboratories, clinics, and remote vaccine distribution operations.
• SU105UE Undercounter ULT Freezer Undercounter ultra-low temperature freezer designed for bench-side personal sample storage where larger-volume ULTs cannot fit. Delivers the same performance as full-size ULT models.
• VAULT100 Upright ULT Freezer Upright ultra-low temperature freezer offering best-in-class energy efficiency and performance, protecting biological samples with Stirling engine technology in a space-saving upright design.
• VAULT100 Pro Upright ULT Freezer Advanced upright ultra-low temperature freezer combining industry-leading temperature performance, reliability, and sustainable operation, designed for laboratories requiring superior sample protection, faster recovery, lower operating costs, and simplified serviceability.
• SU780XLE Upright ULT Freezer Upright ULT freezer using 70-75% less energy than standard cascade-compressor freezers, with EPA SNAP-approved 100% natural refrigerants and the largest storage capacity per square foot of floor space. First ULT freezer to receive ENERGY STAR certification and approved for ISO Class 6 cleanroom applications.
• SU780UE Upright ULT Freezer Upright ultra-low temperature freezer using natural hydrocarbon refrigerants. First ULT freezer to receive EPA SNAP approval for 100% natural refrigerant use in the U.S.
• Laboratory and Pharmacy Refrigerators Refrigerators designed for laboratory and pharmacy settings requiring precise temperature control for storing medications, vaccines, and biological samples at refrigerated temperatures.
• Blood Bank Refrigerators Refrigerators designed specifically for blood bank storage applications, maintaining precise temperatures required for blood product preservation.
• Standard Laboratory Freezers Standard freezers for general laboratory and pharmacy cold storage applications, complementing the ultra-low temperature freezer product line.
• Combination Refrigerator/Freezer Units Combined units offering both refrigerated and frozen storage in a single appliance, suitable for laboratories with diverse storage needs.
• Stirling Ultraguard ULT Storage PCM Phase Change Material storage solutions for maintaining cold temperatures during power outages or transport, including Stirling Ultraguard PCM products for -70°C cold storage.
• High-Density Storage Rack Solutions High-density storage rack systems designed to maximize interior cabinet space in ULT freezers, with configurations holding up to 700 2-inch boxes with 100 cell dividers.
• Stirling UltraCARE Service Program Comprehensive service and support program offering technical service, warranty protection, customer experience support, and service center coverage for Benelux, Germany, and EMEA regions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70-75% less energy consumption than standard compressor-based ULT freezers
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• WalgreensmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor customer partnership for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Walgreens purchased 300 portable and 105 undercounter Stirling Ultracold freezers for deployment across 9,000+ pharmacy locations in 49 U.S. states, using hub-and-spoke distribution model.
• Puerto Rico National GuardmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive ULT storage solution provider for Puerto Rico's COVID-19 pandemic response, enabling vaccination of 85% of the Puerto Rican population. Partnership includes flexible temperature range capabilities and portable solutions for island-wide distribution.
• University of North Carolina SystemmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperation Deep Freeze partnership involving 63 ULT freezers (32 upright, 29 portable, 2 undercounter) deployed to 15 UNC campuses including rural and Historically Minority Serving Institutions, with combined storage capacity for entire state.
• Ohio University Innovation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding relationship including VAULT100 ULT freezer donation ($13,000 value) to Innovation Center. Free-Piston Stirling engine was originally developed at Ohio University, and developing faculty were instrumental in founding Global Cooling, Inc.
• My Green LabcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFive-year sponsor and advocate of the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, partnering to promote sustainable cold storage management practices in research laboratories worldwide.
• International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization for the Freezer Challenge, supporting the annual conference and promoting sustainable laboratory practices including ULT freezer optimization.
• Global Cooling, Inc.coreOthersStirling Ultracold is a division of Global Cooling, Inc., which manufactures and sells the Stirling Ultracold product line. Global Cooling developed the free-piston Stirling engine originally created for energy, aerospace, and industrial applications.
• BioLife SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioLife Solutions completed acquisition of Stirling Ultracold, extending ultra-low temperature storage innovation portfolio. Partnership enables combined expertise in biopreservation and cold chain solutions for life sciences industry.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Haier Biomedical: Chinese biomedical cold chain specialist producing ULT freezers, blood bank refrigerators, and automated sample management systems. Competes with Stirling on global pharma and biotech accounts with a broader product portfolio and aggressive pricing.
• PHC Corporation (PHCbi): Formerly Panasonic Healthcare, PHCbi is a major ULT freezer manufacturer (VIP, MDF, TwinGuard series) with deep presence in life sciences, clinical, and biorepository applications. Direct head-to-head competitor for Stirling's customer segments with established global service infrastructure.
• BINDER GmbH: German manufacturer of laboratory and industrial equipment including UF V and UF ULT series freezers. Comparable target customers in academic, pharma, and biotech research, with strong European distribution that overlaps with Stirling's EMEA presence.
• Helmer Scientific: U.S.-based manufacturer of medical-grade refrigerators, blood bank refrigerators, and ultra-low temperature freezers for hospitals, blood banks, and pharmacies. Highly comparable product portfolio in healthcare/clinical segment and overlapping customer base with Stirling.
• Eppendorf: German laboratory equipment manufacturer offering CryoCube and Premium ULT freezers (-86°C) with strong positions in academic and biopharma research. Directly comparable product category, target customers, and global distribution footprint to Stirling Ultracold.

Broad incumbents

• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Global life sciences leader whose TSX and HERAfreeze lines of ULT freezers directly compete with Stirling Ultracold in research, clinical, and pharma/biotech segments. Significantly larger R&D budget and global service network make it the dominant incumbent Stirling must displace.

Others

• BioLife Solutions: Former parent of Stirling Ultracold (acquired May 2021, divested 2024). Biopreservation and cold chain solutions provider for cell and gene therapies; adjacent ecosystem player whose customer base overlaps with Stirling's pharma/biotech accounts.

Emerging players

• Arctiko: Danish specialist in ULT freezers and laboratory refrigeration with focus on biomedical and life science segments. Smaller than Stirling but a meaningful niche competitor in European and select international markets with comparable compressor-based and Stirling-style offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StirlingULTra
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stirling-ultracold

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stirling Ultracold