Sealing the Speed: High-Speed Airlock Doors for Fully Automated Cold Storage

The Challenge

Eliminate warm air entry and oxygen intrusion in ultra-fast, fully automated cold storage environments.

The Solution

Integrate Salco’s high-speed airlock doors, engineered for freezing temperatures and hermetic sealing, into the conveyor system.

The Result

Ultra-efficient, oxygen-controlled cold storage facilities that maintain product integrity and operational speed.

Back in 2000, one of the first large-scale, fully automated high-bay cold storage warehouses in Europe set a new benchmark in logistics and automation. At the heart of its success was an essential component: reliable, high-speed door systems. These doors had to do more than just open and close – they needed to operate at ultra-fast speeds, seal tightly, and endure freezing conditions, all while integrating flawlessly with automated conveyor systems. That’s where Ulti Group stepped in with a solution built to meet every one of those demands.

Modern cold storage facilities are a finely tuned balance of speed and climate control. In such environments, every second that a door remains open can compromise temperature stability and allow unwanted oxygen into the space. Our high-speed airlock doors solve this problem by operating at extremely high speeds – both vertically and horizontally – while maintaining a hermetic seal. This makes them ideal for use in oxygen-reduced areas, where fire prevention strategies rely on lowered oxygen levels.

One of the standout features of these doors is their adaptability. Depending on the application, clients can choose from a variety of door thicknesses – from lightweight options to thicker designs suited for deep-freeze zones. For projects involving the transfer of boxes through vertical openings, we also offer a specialised hatch solution to ensure smooth, sealed transitions between areas.

What sets our approach apart is the way we collaborate from the ground up. Ulti Group is often involved right from the design phase of a project, working alongside engineers and system suppliers to ensure the doors are integrated directly into architectural and conveyor plans. This proactive involvement helps eliminate design clashes and future-proof the solution for performance, safety, and long-term efficiency.

Whether it’s maintaining sub-zero conditions or ensuring airtight separation between temperature zones, our high-speed airlock doors deliver the reliability and precision required for high-throughput, fully automated environments. Their performance helps drive efficiency while upholding strict safety and product integrity standards.

If you’re designing a cold storage or automation-heavy facility, Ulti Group can help you choose a solution that performs flawlessly – even in the most demanding conditions. Talk to the team at Ulti Group – we’re here to help you get it right from the start.