What Frascold does

Frascold is an Italian manufacturer of semi-hermetic compressors and air-cooled condensing units for HVACR applications, founded in 1936 in Milan by Giuseppe Fraschini. The company designs and produces reciprocating and screw compressors, supporting a wide refrigerant portfolio including R290, R134a, R404A/R507, R407A/F, R448A/R449A, HFO/HFC blends, CO2 (both subcritical and transcritical), and hydrocarbons. Its core product portfolio spans three technology families: reciprocating compressors (Standard, ATEX-HT, Reciprocating ATEX for HC/HFO-HFC, CO2 subcritical, CO2 transcritical Heavy Duty, two-stage), screw compressors (FVR Series, CX EVO, CX Air, CX Water, and Magnetic IPM motor), and air-cooled condensing units (EB, EBT, LBT2, LB2). Differentiated technology includes the exclusive Capaflex mechanical capacity regulation system co-developed with Hoerbiger for transcritical CO2 applications, an in-house Testing Center with 12 test benches across 20 refrigerants, and a vertically integrated value chain anchored by the 2015 acquisition of Fonderie Palmieri.

The business model is B2B direct sales combined with a global channel network. Frascold sells through 5 direct regional branches (Italy HQ, Shanghai, Jacksonville, Ahmedabad, Ho Chi Minh City), 133+ authorized distributors, and 45+ service centers across 86 countries. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of compressors and condensing units (quote-based pricing on multi-year contracts), complemented by a freemium software suite (FSS3 Selection & Simulation Software, Cold Room Calculator, CO2 Calculator, Spare Parts Program, Diagnose Kit) that drives product specification and supports aftermarket service. Customers are segmented across Industrial and Process Cooling, Commercial Refrigeration, Comfort/HVAC, and Refrigerated Transport, with named logos spanning Solid Energy, Nova Frigo, Cagnasso, Soritronic, and a tramway manufacturer. Certifications (ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ATEX, UL, CCC, SASO, EcoDesign, ASERCOM) serve as market-access barriers and reinforce the "100% Made in Italy" value proposition.

The company is privately held and family-controlled, with Maria Teresa Fraschini as Chairman and CEO Giuseppe Galli (since 2009) leading the executive team alongside Vice Chairman Raffaele Bonito and Sales Director Livio Calabrese. International operations are led through wholly owned subsidiaries in China, USA, India, and Vietnam, with regional CEOs (Subhash Agarwal in India) and appointed Chairmen (Giovanni Lo Nero in Vietnam, 2024). Recent strategic activity centers on natural-refrigerant transitions (CO2 transcritical, R290), heat pump expansion (Magnetic IPM, D-TK Capaflex), geographic buildout in Southeast Asia, and digital tooling to embed Frascold deeper into customer engineering workflows.

Name

Frascold

Legal name

Frascold SpA

Website

https://frascold.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Frascold is an Italian family-owned manufacturer (founded 1936) of semi-hermetic reciprocating and screw compressors plus condensing units for HVACR, serving industrial, commercial, and transport refrigeration customers across 86 countries through 5 direct branches and 130+ distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVACR Compressors and Condensing Units

NAICS

Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing (333912)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Compressors, Refrigeration Components & Condensing Units (IMADANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refrigeration Components & Controls (Compressors, Valves, Sensors) (IMAHAKAH), Process Gas & High-Pressure Compressors (IMAHANAF)

Keywords

• Semi-hermetic compressors
• Refrigeration compressors
• Screw compressors
• Condensing units
• HVACR equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Rescaldina

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Compressor and condensing unit sales: Sale of semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors, screw compressors for HVAC and refrigeration, and condensing units for commercial and industrial applications. Products include standard, ATEX, UL-certified, and specialized variants for various refrigerants (HC, CO2, NH3, HFO).
2. Software tools and digital services: Free software tools (FSS3 Selection Software, Cold Room Calculator, CO2 Calculator, Spare Parts Program, Diagnose Kit) provided to customers and installers to support product selection, system design, and maintenance. These tools drive product sales while reducing support costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Frascold designs and manufactures semi-hermetic reciprocating and screw compressors, plus air-cooled condensing units, for HVACR applications. The product portfolio spans standard, ATEX-certified, UL-certified, CO2 subcritical/transcritical, two-stage, and EcoDesign-compliant variants used across industrial refrigeration, commercial refrigeration, comfort/HVAC, process cooling, and refrigerated transport. The portfolio is supported by proprietary software tools (FSS3, Cold Room Calculator, CO2 Calculator, Spare Parts Program, Diagnose) that assist with compressor selection, system design, and predictive maintenance.

Product overview

Frascold is a manufacturer of semi-hermetic compressors and condensing units for HVACR applications. The product portfolio centers on three main technology families: (1) reciprocating (piston) compressors including standard, ATEX-certified (HC, HFO-HFC, HT), CO₂ subcritical, CO₂ transcritical Heavy Duty, and two-stage models; (2) screw compressors including the FVR series (LT/MT/ATEX/UL variants), CX EVO compact series, CX Air series, CX Water series, and Magnetic IPM motor series; and (3) air-cooled condensing units (EB, EBT, LBT2, LB2). Frascold's offering is unified around the FSS3 Selection & Simulation Software platform, which integrates the Cold Room Calculation Tool and CO₂ Calculator as calculation modules, and is complemented by the Spare Parts Program and Frascold Diagnose Kit for monitoring and maintenance support. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ATEX, UL, CCC, SASO, EcoDesign, and ASERCOM certifications across its product ranges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ATEX-HT Series Reciprocating Compressors Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor series with ATEX certification for use with propane (R290) in potentially explosive areas (Zone 2). Available in 4 sizes (S, V, Z, W) with 16 models (5.2 to 52.2 kW motor power, 32.8 to 205.8 m3/h displacement), producing domestic hot water up to 85°C. For industrial refrigeration and process cooling applications.
• FVR Series Screw Compressors (LT/MT/ATEX/UL) Semi-hermetic screw compressor series available in low-temperature (LT), medium-temperature (MT), ATEX-certified, and UL-certified variants. Standard FVR series has 37 models (30-180 HP, 120-540 m3/h displacement); ATEX versions have 15 models for Zone 2 explosive atmospheres; UL versions offer 30 MT models for North America. Supports R134a, R404A, R507, R407A, R407F, R448A, R449A, and R290 refrigerants. VFD-compatible with plug & play installation.
• CX EVO Series Compact Screw Compressors Semi-hermetic compact screw compressor series designed for EcoDesign compliance. 12 models with volumetric displacements of 264-1085 m3/h and motor power of 52.2-231.2 kW. Optimized for efficiency, reliability, and versatility under partial loads, suitable for process cooling, industrial refrigeration, comfort, and refrigerated transport applications.
• CX Air Series Screw Compressors Wide-range compact screw compressor series suitable for common refrigerants and high compression ratio applications. 31 models (displacement 199-1085 m3/h, motor power 37.3-231.2 kW). Available in standard, ATEX-certified (Zone 2), and UL-certified variants.
• CX Water Series Screw Compressors Semi-hermetic compact screw compressor series designed for low compression ratio applications with all common refrigerants. 29 standard models and 27 UL-certified models for easy integration across a wide range of setups.
• Magnetic Series Semi-Hermetic Screw Compressors Semi-hermetic compact screw compressor series featuring an Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motor, specifically designed for air conditioning, process cooling, and heat pump applications. 5 models with displacements of 581-1176 m3/h and motor power of 126.8-231.2 kW, meeting EcoDesign Tier 2 regulations.
• Standard Reciprocating Compressors Series Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor series offering high efficiency, reliability, and performance. 84 models (74 UL-certified) with volumetric displacements from 4 to 239 m3/h and motor power from 0.4 to 59.7 kW. Suitable for process cooling, industrial refrigeration, commercial refrigeration, comfort, and refrigerated transport. Compatible with inverters and Frascold RSH capacity control head.
• Reciprocating ATEX Series (HC / HFO-HFC) ATEX-certified semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor series with 84 models suitable for hydrocarbon refrigerants (HC series) and HFO/HFC refrigerants (HFO-HFC series). Energy-efficient and reliable, compatible with inverters and the Frascold RSH capacity control head.
• CO2 Subcritical Series Reciprocating Compressors Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor series designed for CO2 subcritical applications, offering maximum quietness and reliability. 15 standard models and 15 UL-certified models with displacements of 1.7-47.2 m3/h and motor power of 0.5-22.4 kW. Operates at evaporation temperatures down to -50°C and condensation temperatures up to 20°C.
• CO2 Transcritical Heavy Duty Series Reciprocating Compressors Transcritical CO2 semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor series for near-silent operation and high reliability. 34 standard models and 34 UL-certified models with displacements of 1.9-37.9 m3/h and motor power of 2.2-37.3 kW. Operates with the highest safety standards across wide application fields.
• Two-Stage Compressors Series Semi-hermetic two-stage reciprocating compressor series providing high cooling power and efficiency for low-temperature and deep-freezing applications. 17 standard models and 9 UL-certified models with displacements of 20.7-179.35 m3/h and motor power of 3-48.5 kW.
• D-TK Transcritical CO2 Compressors with Capaflex Transcritical CO2 semi-hermetic compressor with Capaflex mechanical capacity regulation system (developed with Hoerbiger), enabling continuous modulation of cooling capacity without an inverter. Suitable for high, medium, and low temperature applications; transport sector and industrial heat pumps. Features high PSS (standstill pressure), quiet operation, and partialization down to 20%.
• Condensing Units Series (EB, EBT, LBT2, LB2) Air-cooled condensing unit series comprising four variants: EB (EC fans for moderate climates), EBT (tropicalized EC fans for high ambient temperatures), LBT2 (tropicalized AC fans), and LB2 (AC fans for moderate climates). Each series offers 28 models with EcoDesign compliance, designed for commercial refrigeration with compact sizing and quiet operation.
• FSS3 Selection & Simulation Software Free downloadable compressor selection and simulation software serving as a comprehensive tool for identifying the best Frascold compressor and condensing unit. Features automatic performance calculation under design and off-design conditions, partialization mode, inverter frequency mode, economizer cycle calculation for two-stage and screw compressors, and multilingual support. For installers, designers, and engineers.
• Cold Room Calculation Tool Digital calculation tool integrated within FSS3 for sizing cold rooms, estimating correct cooling capacity and humidity levels based on room dimensions, external temperature, food categories, heat sources, and door opening frequency. Automatically selects the most suitable Frascold compressor model.
• CO2 Calculator System design tool for simulating CO2 applications including multiple temperature levels, finding the optimal compressor, and providing information for constructing the entire CO2 system. Includes a Seasonal Calculator with over 300 configurations to define rack operation over a year within actual climate profiles.
• Frascold Spare Parts Program Online software tool for identifying and ordering spare parts and accessories for single-stage, two-stage, and tandem reciprocating compressors as well as screw compressors. Supports search by part code or exploded drawing view, with real-time order placement and status monitoring.
• Frascold Diagnose Kit Advanced diagnostic tool that evaluates compressor parameters and checks alarm history, supporting predictive maintenance operations. Connects via Modbus for real-time data access from anywhere in the world, ensuring operational continuity, reducing maintenance costs, and extending component life.

Quantifiable outcome

• Photovoltaic system produces 1,311,940 kWh/year clean energy, meeting nearly 50% of daytime needs with 583 t/year CO2 reduction
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Elettra InvestimentiminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Partner for construction of innovative photovoltaic system at Frascold headquarters. Elettra Investimenti designed and installed 3,500 solar panels across production site and parking shelters to generate clean energy.
• Rubner GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Construction partner for new multifunctional building at headquarters using natural raw materials (wood). Rubner Group has over 50 years of experience in environmentally friendly projects.
• HoerbigercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose collaboration in developing the Capaflex mechanical capacity regulation system for transcritical CO2 applications. Hoerbiger contributed the exclusive mechanical capacity regulation technology that allows continuous modulation without inverter, enabling load partialization down to 20% for D-TK compressors used in transport and industrial heat pumps.
• Polytechnic University of MilanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research and testing collaboration, leveraging university expertise in engineering and technology development.
• University of PaduaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research and testing collaboration in the HVACR sector.
• Fonderie PalmiericoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAcquired in 2015 to ensure vertical integration of raw material processing and manufacturing, giving Frascold direct control over the value chain.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Danfoss: Danish global leader offering a full refrigeration and HVAC component portfolio including compressors, controls, and valves — broad incumbent with overlapping compressor products and deep system-level integration capabilities.
• Howden (formerly Clyde Blowers / Comprimo): Global supplier of compression and heat transfer equipment including screw and reciprocating compressors for industrial refrigeration — broader industrial gas handling portfolio with overlapping product lines in process refrigeration.
• Emerson Copeland: Global refrigeration and HVAC component giant offering Copeland compressors including semi-hermetic, scroll, and hermetic units — broader portfolio and significantly larger scale than Frascold, but competes for the same industrial and commercial refrigeration specification wins.
• Mitsubishi Electric: Large Japanese manufacturer of commercial and industrial refrigeration compressors and HVAC systems — broader portfolio with semi-hermetic, scroll, and inverter-driven compressors competing for similar commercial refrigeration and heat pump projects.

Direct peers

• Dorin: Italian manufacturer of semi-hermetic and hermetic compressors for commercial and industrial refrigeration — fellow Italian compressor specialist with overlapping product lines and customer base.
• Tecumseh Products: Global manufacturer of hermetic and semi-hermetic compressors for refrigeration and air conditioning — directly comparable product categories with overlapping commercial and light-commercial refrigeration customers.
• Bitzer: Germany-based global leader in refrigeration compressors including semi-hermetic reciprocating and screw compressors — Frascold's most direct competitor in the same product categories and customer segments (industrial, commercial refrigeration, heat pumps).
• Refcomp: Italian/Asian manufacturer of semi-hermetic reciprocating and screw compressors for refrigeration and air conditioning — direct product overlap and competitor to Frascold (Livio Calabrese, Frascold's Sales Director, previously worked at Refcomp).
• GEA Bock: German manufacturer of semi-hermetic compressors (formerly Bock Compressors) for refrigeration and air conditioning with strong CO2 and natural-refrigerant focus — directly comparable product portfolio and target customers to Frascold.
• Mayekawa (MYCOM): Japanese manufacturer of screw and reciprocating compressors (MYCOM brand) for industrial refrigeration and natural-refrigerant applications including ammonia and CO2 — directly comparable in industrial process cooling and natural refrigerant segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC8OQEc1FoOjNJVz8-itLqpg
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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2663004
• Xx.com/frascold

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Frascold