Cold Chain Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Cold Chain Packaging Market Analysis

The Cold Chain Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 29.71 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 45.02 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.67% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 1.3 billion metric tonnes of food are wasted worldwide each year, accounting for contributions from every country, every societal group, and every step in the supply chain. The instability in the food system brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic made an already terrible loss even more painful.

• The adoption of cold chain packaging by various governments not only demonstrates the importance of the packaging but also aids in market expansion. For instance, in June 2022, the "Scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure" plan, which is largely funded by the Indian government, reported that the government provides funding for investments in the cold chain, including processing.
• The Scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition, and Preservation Infrastructure aims to provide seamless, integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure facilities from the farm gate to the consumer. With a focus on developing farm-level cold chain infrastructure, the strategy offers project planning flexibility. Additionally, an interested investor may receive a grant or subsidy of 35% to 50% of the project cost based on previously established cost parameters by the government under the scheme for integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure released by the Government of India.
• Further, considering the spike in e-commerce, insulated packaging is expected to see strong sales with smaller e-commerce and food delivery formats across meal kits and other perishable food and beverage items. As multiple packages containing fresh and frozen items require good insulation, the pandemic-led behavioral change has led to packages being left outdoors for some time. Hence, the pandemic is further expected to witness a significant increase in the demand for cold chain packaging solutions.
• Cold chain packaging solutions are essential to the growth of the global trade in perishable products and the worldwide availability of food and health supplies. The rise in consumer demand for perishable food items, growth of international trade due to trade liberalization, and expansion of the organized food retail industry are some of the factors driving the growth of the market.
• Increasing stringent regulations, such as the effective implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (cold storage warehouse requirement to preserve food), drive the market's growth. Additionally, the rising demand from various industrial applications, such as the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries, are significant contributors to the global cold chain packaging market.
• However, in recent times, instability in polystyrene prices, due to the increased gap between demand and supply, has led to a price surge, which is likely to continue during the forecast period. Moreover, the escalated cost of raw materials is boosting the overall cost of the final product.
• Efficiency in using cold chain solutions was never a top priority before COVID-19. While during the pandemic, one of the most difficult challenges facing the globe was to produce enough vaccines to immunize every citizen, which was a huge undertaking to ensure that vaccines were distributed to citizens without spoiling them. Due to lockdowns and other limitations brought on by the outbreak, some businesses were forced to alter their business plans and implement home delivery options. Additionally, this called for efficient cold chain logistics solutions. Demand increased even more due to growing consumer awareness and the necessity of upholding essential quality standards.

Cold Chain Packaging Industry Segmentation

A cold chain product is defined as any temperature-sensitive product, such as frozen foods, research samples, or pharmaceuticals. Cold chain packaging, is vital for maintaining the thermal integrity of temperature-sensitive products during transport. Cold chain packaging can use active or passive packaging methods. 

Active packaging configurations are usually leased containers that employ a power source, batteries or electricity, and a thermostat to control heating or cooling within the shipping container. 

Passive packaging configurations are manufactured containers that utilize insulated packaging such as polystyrene, polyurethane, or vacuum insulated panels and phase change materials (PCM) to maintain a desired temperature inside the shipping container.