Cold chain logistics is a fast-growing sector that demands highly controlled environments for temperature-sensitive goods. As supply chains evolve, many businesses are turning to temporary buildings for cold chain logistics to meet demand quickly and cost-effectively.
At Instant Space, we supply insulated, adaptable structures that meet the challenges of modern cold storage, offering the speed and flexibility of temporary buildings without compromising on performance or longevity.
What Is Cold Chain Logistics?
Cold chain logistics refers to the transportation and storage of goods that must be kept at controlled temperatures throughout their journey. These can include:
- Pharmaceuticals and vaccines
- Fresh or frozen foods
- Chemicals and industrial reagents
- Electronics or sensitive components
For the cold chain to work efficiently, every link—from production to distribution—must maintain specific temperature ranges. Any failure in that chain can lead to spoilage, financial losses or safety concerns.
Why Temporary Buildings Work for Cold Chain Needs
Choosing temporary buildings for cold chain logistics offers clear advantages, especially when speed and scalability are essential. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar builds, Instant Space structures can be deployed in weeks—not months—without the need for permanent foundations or prolonged disruption.
Benefits include:
- Rapid deployment on your existing site
- Custom sizes to suit growing storage demands
- High-quality insulation options for stable temperatures
- Easy integration with HVAC and cold storage units
- Low capital outlay compared to traditional cold storage builds
Our structures offer a fast-track solution for expanding storage, fulfilling contracts or setting up temporary supply chain hubs during busy periods.
Key Design Considerations for Cold Chain Use
To ensure your facility meets cold chain standards, the structure must be designed with specific requirements in mind. A standard temporary building may not be enough without the right upgrades.
1. Insulation and Thermal Efficiency
The most important feature of any cold storage building is its insulation. Our buildings are available with sandwich panel walls and insulated roofing systems, ensuring consistent internal conditions.
We offer wall panels with low U-values (as low as 0.2 W/m²K) to reduce energy loss and help your cooling systems perform efficiently.
2. Temperature Control Systems
Temporary buildings can easily be fitted with:
- Industrial chillers
- Blast freezers
- Refrigerated containers
- HVAC systems with zoned control
Our team works alongside specialist refrigeration suppliers to ensure the building envelope is prepared for efficient system integration.
3. Air Tightness
Minimising air leakage is essential to keeping the structure energy-efficient. This is achieved by:
- Precision-sealed panel joints
- Double-sealed doors
- Overlap flashing systems around entrances
These additions help reduce condensation and temperature drift, critical factors in cold chain integrity.
4. Flooring and Load Bearing
Cold chain environments often require flooring that can withstand pallet trucks, forklifts and temperature fluctuations. We can provide:
- Anti-slip, hygienic surfaces
- Load-bearing concrete pads or steel subfloors
- Ramp access for temperature-controlled vehicles
Every installation is tailored to the operational demands of your site.
Use Cases for Temporary Cold Storage Buildings
Our temporary buildings for cold chain logistics are already in use across multiple sectors. Here are a few real-world examples where Instant Space structures provide daily value.
✅ Food Distribution
Seasonal produce and high-volume orders often overwhelm standard warehouse capacity. Our clients use temporary buildings to create overflow refrigerated storage during harvests, holidays, and promotions.
✅ Pharmaceutical Warehousing
Many pharmaceutical companies must store medications and vaccines at very specific temperatures. We provide fully sealed, climate-controlled buildings that can be adapted as storage requirements change.
✅ Cold Chain Expansion Projects
When building new facilities or extending existing cold stores, clients often need a short-term storage solution. Our buildings act as interim cold stores while permanent structures are under development.
✅ Retail Distribution Centres
Major retailers use our structures to expand cold storage at distribution hubs near major cities. This ensures that fresh and frozen products are handled efficiently during periods of growth.
Planning and Compliance
Despite their flexibility, our buildings can meet all relevant standards for cold chain logistics. We help ensure:
- Compliance with BS EN 13782 and other relevant UK building codes
- Adherence to FSA, MHRA, or industry-specific guidelines
- Professional documentation for planning and insurance requirements
In many cases, temporary buildings do not require full planning permission, especially if used for under 28 days or as part of emergency operations. However, longer-term use may require local authority approval, and we can support that process too.
Temporary Doesn’t Mean Short-Term
Many of our cold chain clients begin with an “interim” solution but end up keeping the structure for years. That’s because Instant Space buildings are engineered to last over 20 years with proper maintenance.
If demand continues to grow, you can extend the structure, reconfigure it, or upgrade it for even greater performance—all without the delays or costs of traditional construction.
Why Choose Instant Space?
Our team has worked with manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and cold storage providers across the UK. We bring experience, speed and practical insight to every project.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Rapid deployment – buildings ready in as little as 3–4 weeks
- Nationwide coverage – with experienced fitters and engineers
- Turnkey service – from design and delivery to installation
- Modular adaptability – scale your building as your operation grows
- Quality guarantee – all components rated for long-term durability
Whether you need a chilled goods canopy, a fully enclosed refrigerated space, or an insulated warehouse extension, we’ll help you create the right environment for your cold chain operations.
Final Thoughts: Cold Chain Confidence Starts Here
Cold chain logistics demand precision, reliability and speed. With Instant Space, you can get a purpose-built, high-performance cold storage structure without the long wait or heavy capital expenditure.
Our temporary buildings for cold chain logistics are built to perform under pressure, ensuring your temperature-sensitive products are always stored and handled in the right conditions.
Let’s discuss your storage challenges and show you how fast, reliable, and future-ready a temporary cold chain facility can be. Contact us today!