The traditions of the Centralny Osrodek Chlodnictwa - COCH (Refrigeration Research and Development Centre) date from 1946, when the Centralne Biuro Aparatury Chemicznej i Urz±dzeñ Ch³odniczych (Central Office of Chemistry Apparatus and Refrigerating Equipment) CEBEA in Krakow was established. For the next few decades, it was continually interested in refrigerating engineering, though in various organizational forms. A significant moment took place in November, 1960, when the independent unit named Centralny Osrodek Ch³odnictwa - COCH (Refrigeration Research and Development Centre), was established on the basis of the Dzia³ Urz±dzeñ Ch³odniczych (Department of Refrigerating Equipment), which was separated from CEBEA.

In the 60 years of the Centre's existence, its activity, started in 1946 from design-construction works, and has developed till now, includes scientific-research, research-development work, model and pilot studies and tests of new generations of machines and devices intended for refrigeration, heat pumps, and air-conditioners. The specialized accredited laboratory research, tests and studies of new products implemented in the domestic industry, attestation tests of refrigerated transport (the international standard for the refrigerated transport of perishable produce - ATP), and carrying out the examinations connected with the certification of products for refrigeration industry, heat pumps, and air-conditioning systems.

Prototype constructions of machines and equipment are build in the experimental unit, paying special attention to small-dimensional freezing tunnels, specialized temperature-changeable and low-temperature testing chambers, testing stands, etc.

The Centralny Osrodek Chlodnictwa - COCH (Refrigeration Research and Development Centre) is able to solve the most complex problems of refrigerating engineering due to highly skilled personnel and many years of experience. COCH continuously co-operates with academic circles, research and industry organizations, as well as with international organizations such as the International Refrigeration Institute.