Cold Chain Packaging Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (EPS Containers, PUR Containers, Pallet Shippers, Vacuum Insulated Panels and Others), By Application (Pharmaceuticals, Food, and Industrial), and Regional Forecast, 2020-2027

The global cold chain packaging market size was USD 17.79 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 39.45 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.7% during the forecast period.

Temperature monitoring is an essential process in cold chain logistics to keep product quality intact. Leading manufacturers in association with cold chain logistic providers are focusing on developing new products that can efficiently tackle the technical problems which often arise during cold chain transport. Advanced cold chain packaging possesses great potential to minimize miscellaneous losses. Further, it leads to the development of reliable supply chains and helps in gaining more profit margins.

In January 2019, Softbox, a manufacturer of temperature control packaging for the life science and logistics industries, launched its new pallet and parcel shipping systems named Tempcell ECO, Tempcell MAX, and Silverpod MAX. Tempcell ECO is manufactured by recyclable corrugated paper and can control different temperature ranges from 0-30 degrees Celsius. Silverpod Max is a high-performance system made of phase change materials and can maintain up to 96 hours of thermal protection.

COVID-19 IMPACT

COVID-19 Pandemic: Logistics Being an Essential Service to Propel Growth  

The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted the entire supply chain in the majority of industries in the world. However, cold chain logistics was put on the list of essential services by governments around the world. The role of the cold chain became more important during the pandemic as the demand for medicines and food products is increasing with it. Regional, as well as global cold chain associations are undertaking all the essential precautions to combat the situation incurred by the outbreak. For instance, the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) is prescribing the required actions for its members to speed up the recovery of the industry. The GCCA is continuously updating guidelines and routes frequently as per the instructions from the regional government.

LATEST TRENDS

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Increasing Focus on Sustainable Cold Chain Packaging to Open New Growth Avenues

The use of reusable cold chain parcel and pallet delivery bins has been a regular uptick in recent years, helping pharmaceutical manufacturers to transport excessive high-value products to large markets across several parts of the globe. As per Pelican’s 2020 Biopharma Cold Chain Logistics Sustainability Survey, in 2019, 38% of biopharma companies used reusable rental containers and 25% were exploring them. Furthermore, it also states that the availability of rental programs and the global growth of network stations to refurbish and recondition reusable shipping containers have also improved access to this flexible and often cost-saving alternative.

DRIVING FACTORS

Stronger Demand from Pharmaceutical Industry to Boost Growth

Cold chain packaging products are used in significant quantities in the pharmaceutical industry for the packaging of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical ingredients and products. The drug or product can lose its properties or even degree when exposed to relatively high temperatures. Thus, these products require specialized temperature-controlled packaging and transportation systems to ensure that their chemical and functional value is preserved. As per the Pharmaceutical Commerce Analysis of IQVIA, 2018, cold chain (including products and transportation) accounts for around 18% of the total pharma spending. Also, the growth of cold chain solutions is surging 2x, as compared to non-cold chain solutions in the pharmaceutical industry.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost & Rising Environmental Issues to Confine Growth

Cold chain packaging products are relatively costly, as compared to non-packaging products due to the fact that these solutions are specially tailored to regulate and maintain the temperature in order to keep the product encapsulated in the best quality. A lot of money is invested in designing these products along with other systems such as refrigerators, sensors, monitoring devices, and others that work simultaneously to achieve the desired temperature. This all comes with a high cost, which would result in the lower adoption of cold chain packaging solutions across various industries. Moreover, environmental concerns arising due to the extensive use of packaging materials would restrain the growth of the market.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Type Analysis

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Pallet Shipper Segment to Hold the Largest Share of the Global Market

Based on product type, the global cold chain packaging market is segmented into EPS containers, PUR containers, pallet shippers, vacuum insulated panels, and others. The pallet shippers segment would lead the market by accounting for more than 36% of the market share. These containers are used for seasonal, as well as universal temperature protection coverage, thereby giving it an advantage over the other cold packaging solutions. These are generally large capacity shipping systems that are both effective and reusable. Besides, they are compact and light which further reduces transport costs. Due to their exceptional occupancy capacity ratio and low volumetric weight, these containers are prominently used for frozen, refrigerated, or controlled room temperature shipments, transporting farm produce, processed agricultural products, pharmaceutical drugs, and many others.

EPS containers offer cost-effective insulation for temperature-controlled shipping. These shipping containers provide optimal performance & uniform temperature control for the shipment of temperature-sensitive products.

PUR containers provide superior maintenance of internal payload temperatures even under extreme weather conditions. They are prominently used for international shipments. Vacuum insulated panels have the characteristics of super-insulation, which allows them for longer storage time and safer transportation conditions. It has low thermal conductivity and thus its usage in temperature-controlled containers ensures exceptional thermal protection for any controlled refrigerated storage of high-value products.

By Application Analysis

Food Segment to Dominate Stoked by Rising International & Domestic Trade of Such Products

Based on application, the global cold chain packaging market is categorized as pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial. The food segment held the largest share in the global market. Frozen food items, vegetables, fruits, fruit pulp, juices, beverages, dairy products, seafood, confectionery, and other agricultural produce are transported by using temperature-controlled cold packaging solutions. Owing to the increasing domestic and international trade of food products, the food segment is projected to dominate the market over the forecast period.

The pharmaceutical segment is the fastest growing in the global market owing to the increasing trade of medicines, vaccines, and other medical drugs. The global pharmaceutical industry is investing heavily in cold pharmaceutical packaging solutions. According to the Pharmaceutical Commerce’s annual Biopharma Cold Chain Sourcebook, it is estimated that biopharma companies spent around USD 15 billion in cold chain logistics in 2019. This spending is gradually increasing every year at a healthy rate.   

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The European cold chain packaging industry is dominated by Western European countries such as Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, and Spain. The temperature profile changes drastically from country to country in Europe. Thus, advanced temperature monitoring and packaging solutions are employed to transport temperature-sensitive products. The Central and Eastern European countries are expected to provide multiple growth opportunities, as compared to the Western countries due to the development and expansion of economies. Germany imports large quantities of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and milk products in chilled and frozen forms. The packaged food industry is thriving in the country owing to the high health awareness and increasing nutritional intake by consumers. Moreover, Germany is regarded as the leader in the food and beverage market in Europe, which strongly supports the growth of the cold packaging business in the region.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market in the world and it is expected to dominate the market by the end of the forecast period. The adoption of cold packaging solutions in the region is increasing at a healthy rate owing to the rapid development of cold storage projects, rising disposable incomes, and expanding population. China, Japan, and South Korea account for the largest share in the region as these countries have well-established supply chains, as well as renowned companies that provide a wide range of cold packaging products.

North America is one of the largest producers of these solutions in the world. The region held the second-largest share in the global market in 2019. The United States dominates the regional market on account of its technological advancement and well-established supply chains. The country’s large area and uneven population distribution make the usage of cold chain packaging even more profound in transporting food products and pharmaceutical drugs to remote locations.

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In the Middle East, the GCC countries account for the major share in the market due to their infrastructure and high-income generating businesses. Due to the regional temperature profiles, the demand for cold storage packaging is high from the food industry. It is used to insulate frozen vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural produce.

In Africa, leading cold chain associations, such as the Global Cold Chain Alliance are working with local manufacturers to develop and strengthen the cold chain logistics. In August 2020, the Global Cold Chain Alliance’s South Africa regional office successfully hosted a Virtual Cold Store Operations Short Course with students participating from South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, Kenya, and Nigeria. Such initiatives are projected to create potential demand in developing countries of Africa during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Leading Players Are Focusing on Launching New Products to Meet Growing Consumer Demand

The market is fragmented with a large number of global and local players. Therefore, due to the increasing competition from local players, the leading global players are focusing on developing new products and on broadening their consumer base across the world. For instance, Softbox Systems, one of the leading manufacturers of cold chain packaging containers and boxes is developing new healthcare packaging products, which can be reused to reduce carbon footprints. The company is perpetually working to introduce new recyclable packaging products in the market.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Cold Chain Technologies (USA)


• Pelican BioThermal (USA)


• Sonoco ThermoSafe (USA)


• Softbox Systems (UK)


• Sealed Air Corporation (USA)


• CREOPACK (Canada)


• Sofrigam (France)


• Intelsius (UK)


• Nordic Cold Chain Solutions (USA)


• Tempack (Spain)


• Cryopak (USA)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• February 04, 2020: Pelican BioThermal announced the acquisition of NanoCool, a New Mexico-based manufacturer of temperature-controlled packaging solutions. This acquisition has further increased the breadth of the Pelican BioThermal product portfolio in Latin America.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Cold Chain Packaging Market

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The cold chain packaging market research report provides both qualitative & quantitative insights into the global market. Quantitative insights include the global market sizing in terms of value (USD Billion) across each segment, sub-segment, and region profiled in the scope of the study. Also, it covers market share analysis and growth rates of the segment, sub-segment, and key counties across each region. The qualitative insight covers the elaborative analysis of market drivers, restraints, growth opportunities, key trends related to the market. The competitive landscape section covers detailed company profiling of key players operating in the global market.

Report Scope & Segmentation