Kälte-Klima-Sachsen

What Kälte-Klima-Sachsen does

Kälte-Klima-Sachsen GmbH (KKS) is a privately held German refrigeration and air conditioning contractor founded in 1990 and headquartered in Wermsdorf, Saxony, with a manufacturing facility in Borna near Leipzig. The company designs, manufactures, installs, and services industrial and commercial cooling systems for logistics, food processing, retail, agriculture, and transport-refrigeration customers across Germany, with selected reference projects in Serbia, Ivory Coast, and Russia. It employs approximately 45 people and reports 400+ long-term customer relationships built on maintenance contracts and project-based plant construction.

KKS's proprietary core product is the AKM (Absorptionskältemaschine) line of ammonia/water absorption chillers, manufactured under the Eco ice brand in 25 kW, 50 kW, and 100 kW variants. The technology uses NH3 (R717) as a natural refrigerant with zero GWP and zero ODP, producing cooling from waste heat and enabling trigeneration (CCHP) integration with CHP units from partners such as Yados GmbH. Modular container systems (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Cold Use, Solar models) extend the platform into deployable configurations, and a patented LNG regasification cold-recovery system targets LNG infrastructure. The company holds German and European patent applications on the AKM architecture and individual CE certification per Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU via TÜV SÜD.

The business model combines one-time project revenue from plant construction and equipment sales (AKM units, container modules, peripheral equipment) with recurring maintenance contracts, spare-parts supply, 24/7 emergency service, and short-term rental cooling (Mietkälte). Distribution is primarily direct enterprise field sales across Germany (bundesweit), augmented by Conoscope GmbH for international sales, the KKS Fahrzeugkälte GmbH subsidiary for vehicle refrigeration, and a Frigoblock authorized service partnership for transport cooling. Funding is largely self-funded supplemented by ~€2.4M in EU Horizon 2020 SME Instrument grants under the TRISORP project (2016-2018).

Name

Kälte-Klima-Sachsen

Legal name

Kälte-Klima-Sachsen GmbH

Website

https://kaelte-klima-sachsen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kälte-Klima-Sachsen GmbH is a German refrigeration and air conditioning contractor that designs, manufactures, and services industrial cooling systems using its proprietary AKM ammonia/water absorption chillers, serving logistics, food processing, retail, agriculture, and transport customers across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Refrigeration Systems

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAHAKAA

Commercial & Industrial Refrigeration Systems

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Refrigeration, HVAC & Thermal Equipment

SECONDARYIMAHAKAH

Refrigeration Components & Controls (Compressors, Valves, Sensors)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Industrial Machinery & Heavy Equipment/Refrigeration, HVAC & Thermal Equipment

SECONDARYBPABACAG

Chillers, Boilers & Central Plant Operations

Business & Public Services/Facilities Management & Building Services/Building Engineering & Technical Maintenance (MEP/HVAC)

Keywords

• Industrial refrigeration systems
• Absorption chillers
• Air conditioning systems
• Cold storage solutions
• HVAC manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Wermsdorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plant Construction and Installation: Complete system solutions including consultation, planning, project execution, and commissioning of refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Revenue generated from design, equipment supply, installation, and startup services for industrial, commercial, and process cooling applications.
2. Maintenance and Service Contracts: Ongoing maintenance and repair services for refrigeration systems based on maintenance contracts. Includes spare parts procurement and supply, component replacement (including discontinued products), mandatory inspections, and employee training. Emergency backup cooling units provided during emergencies, production peaks, or renovations.
3. Rental Cooling (Mietkälte): Ready-to-use rental cooling units for short-term problems including peak coverage, trials, events, bridging during renovations, and emergency bridging. Provides additional revenue from temporary equipment deployment.
4. Equipment Sales (AKM and Components): Sale of absorption chillers (AKM 25, AKM 50, AKM 100), container modules, and peripheral equipment. Includes CE-marked products with individual certification and CE declaration by Eco ice GmbH plus notified body certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kälte-Klima-Sachsen GmbH (KKS) plans, manufactures, and installs high-performance refrigeration and air conditioning systems for industrial, commercial, and trade applications. The company produces its own proprietary absorption chillers (AKM series) using natural ammonia/water refrigerants under the Eco ice brand, alongside system construction, maintenance, repair, vehicle refrigeration, and rental cooling services across Germany.

Product overview

Kälte-Klima-Sachsen GmbH is a refrigeration and air conditioning company offering both manufactured products and comprehensive services. The core product line is the Eco ice brand AKM (Absorptionskältemaschine) absorption chillers using natural ammonia/water refrigerant in 25 kW, 50 kW, and 100 kW variants for industrial trigeneration applications. These can be combined with add-on modules including deep-freeze cascades, emergency cooling systems, and cold storage (ice storage) solutions. The company also provides system construction services covering design, installation, and maintenance of industrial refrigeration, industrial ammonia systems, ATEX systems, CO2 cascade systems, heat recovery, vehicle refrigeration, and rental cooling. The AKM products integrate with building management systems and support internet-based remote monitoring. All systems emphasize energy efficiency using natural refrigerants with zero GWP and zero ODP, targeting up to 73% primary energy savings compared to conventional compression chillers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AKM (Absorptionskältemaschine): Absorption chiller producing cold from excess heat energy using ammonia (NH3, R717) as natural refrigerant and water as solvent. Available in 25 kW, 50 kW, and 100 kW models with zero global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential.
• Eco ice

Products and services

• AKM 25 kW Absorption Chiller
• AKM 50 kW Absorption Chiller
• AKM 100 kW Absorption Chiller
• Eco ice Modular Container Systems
• LNG Regasification Cold Recovery System
• Anlagenbau (System Construction)
• Industriekälte (Industrial Refrigeration)
• Wartung und Instandsetzung (Maintenance and Repair)
• Fahrzeugkälte (Vehicle Refrigeration)
• Mietkälte (Rental Refrigeration)

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 73% primary energy consumption reduction and up to 73% greenhouse gas emissions reduction for cold production
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TÜV SÜD IndustrieservicecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 September 2016Notified body for certification according to Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU. Cooperated with KKS/Eco ice for first two procedure tests for material group 8.1 successfully passed in September 2016. Foundation for manufacturing pressure equipment per AD-2000 regulations. Each AKM receives individual CE certification plus CE declaration by Eco ice and CE certificate by notified body.
• Conoscope GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 September 2016Sales partnership for national and international sales expansion. Additional staff members recruited and trained in Eco ice product specifics and commercial usage through internal sales training in September 2016. Conoscope conducted market research on electricity/gas prices, funding opportunities, and regulatory issues for target markets.
• Yados GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 8 September 2016Long-standing partner based in Hoyerswerda supplying highly efficient heating systems (BHKW/CHP). Several CHP units from Yados are already operating with KKS AKM systems in Marl, Altenbach, and Munich. Key component for modular cold applications as absorption refrigerators require heat energy for thermal compressor drive.
• Eco ice GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated company responsible for AKM product certification, CE declarations, and brand marketing. Eco ice GmbH received certification as manufacturer for pressure equipment according to EU Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU. Products marketed under Eco ice brand including absorption chillers and modular container systems.
• Freyler IndustriebauminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company partner for industrial building projects. Worked with KKS on multiple projects including Securitas Alert Service GmbH new office building (2012), San Lucar GmbH new transshipment hall with cooling system (2011), and IQS Software GmbH office building climate control (2011).
• FrigoblockcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing service partnership for vehicle/transport refrigeration. KKS is authorized Frigoblock service partner providing installation, maintenance, and service for transport refrigeration systems.
• Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSaxon business development agency organized KKS participation at Pollutec 2016 in Lyon on joint 'Sachsen live' booth, representing Saxon State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport.
• Sächsische Energieagentur (SAENA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSaxon Energy Agency partnership for knowledge sharing and promotion. KKS presented at 7th SAENA symposium at Kriebstein paper mill in June 2016. Dr. Liehm gave specialized lectures at SAENA events including Lidl market opening in Weißwasser.
• Dr. Klaus Butt (Concept + Service GmbH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member for TRISORP project who facilitated KKS and Eco ice product presentation at National Research Center Moscow (НИЦОР) in July 2016. Introduced AKM absorption refrigerators and AUTARK container system to Russian representatives from economy, politics, and research.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Robur Group: Italy-based manufacturer specializing in absorption heat pumps and gas-fired chillers using ammonia-water technology. Most direct global specialist competitor to KKS's AKM absorption chiller technology, serving similar trigeneration and waste-heat recovery use cases.

Broad incumbents

• Carrier Commercial Refrigeration: Carrier's commercial refrigeration segment produces refrigeration systems for retail, foodservice and cold storage—customer categories that overlap heavily with KKS's logistics and retail accounts such as MUK Logistik and Galeria Kaufhof.
• GEA Group: Global industrial equipment group with a dedicated Refrigeration Technologies division serving food processing, cold storage and dairy customers. Overlaps with KKS on industrial refrigeration projects and ammonia systems, but operates at vastly larger scale as a broad conglomerate.
• Viessmann Climate Solutions: German-headquartered manufacturer of heating, industrial and refrigeration systems, including heat pumps and absorption chillers through Viessmann's industrial solutions. Comparable as a broad European HVAC/refrigeration incumbent competing across KKS's commercial and industrial segments.
• Johnson Controls (York/Chillers): Global HVAC and building systems manufacturer with broad chiller portfolio including industrial and commercial chillers. Overlaps with KKS in industrial refrigeration projects and competes for the same large commercial customers across Europe.

Regional players

• Thermax Limited: India-headquartered conglomerate with a Heating & Cooling business manufacturing large-capacity absorption chillers. Comparable technology (lithium bromide and ammonia absorption) though focused on larger capacities and different geography.
• Stiebel Eltron: German family-owned manufacturer of heat pumps, HVAC and refrigeration technology. Comparable regional HVAC/refrigeration player competing for the same commercial and industrial German customers, though focused on electric heat pumps rather than absorption.

Direct peers

• ENGIE Refrigeration: Subsidiary of ENGIE offering industrial chillers including absorption technology (e.g., Thermamax absorption heat pumps and chillers). Directly competes in the European market for absorption-based cooling and heating solutions for industrial and district applications.
• BITZER Kühlmaschinenbau: German manufacturer of refrigeration compressors and system components for commercial and industrial refrigeration. Closest direct competitor to KKS in the German industrial refrigeration market, though BITZER focuses on compression rather than absorption technology.
• Güntner (Acond): German manufacturer of heat exchangers and refrigeration components for industrial and commercial refrigeration. Comparable as a German-Mid-European supplier serving KKS's overlapping customer base in food processing, logistics and cold storage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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 Kälte-Klima-Sachsen