The article mentions Fahrenheit (-112f), which means it was -80C, so the first one you found would have been "good enough". A quick google finds a -80C freezer for $14000 [0] a fraction of the $1million they've "lost".

[0] [Fisherbrand™ Isotemp™ Ultra Low Temperature Freezer](https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/isotemp-ultra-low-te...)