Automation In Cold Chain Logistics Market
Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Forecasts to 2032 – Global Analysis By Component (Hardware, Software, and Services), Temperature Range (Chilled (0°C to 15°C), Frozen (-18°C to 0°C), and Deep-Frozen/Ultra-Low (Below -20°C)), Application, End User and By Geography
According to Stratistics MRC, the Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market is accounted for $1.24 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $3.48 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 15.9% during the forecast period. Automation in cold chain logistics uses technologies like IoT sensors, automated temperature control, and robotics to ensure the safe storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive products. This applies to food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, maintaining product integrity from origin to destination. Real-time monitoring and automated adjustments prevent spoilage and ensure compliance with stringent regulatory standards. Automation enhances efficiency, reduces human errors, and optimizes resource utilization. Increasing demand for perishable goods and vaccines drives growth, particularly in regions facing supply chain complexity and regulatory pressures.
Market Dynamics:
Driver:
Increasing need for temperature-sensitive supply chains
The global expansion of pharmaceuticals, biologics, and premium perishable foods mandates stringent temperature control to ensure product efficacy and safety. Regulatory compliance, such as the FDA's CFR Title 21, imposes strict guidelines on storage and transportation, compelling logistics providers to adopt automated solutions. Automation ensures unparalleled accuracy in maintaining specific temperature ranges, minimizing human error, and providing auditable documentation. This regulatory and product integrity requirement directly fuels investment in automated monitoring, storage, and retrieval systems within the cold chain, thereby propelling market growth significantly.
Restraint:
Integration difficulties with legacy systems
Many existing cold chain facilities operate on outdated infrastructure that lacks the digital interoperability required for modern automation solutions, such as IoT sensors and automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). Retrofitting these systems necessitates substantial capital expenditure and can cause operational downtime, presenting a major financial disincentive. Moreover, the complexity of ensuring seamless data communication between new automated technologies and old supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems often acts as a barrier to adoption, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Opportunity:
IoT integration for real-time tracking
IoT-enabled sensors facilitate granular, real-time tracking of critical parameters like temperature, humidity, and location throughout the logistics journey. This generates vast datasets that, when processed by analytics platforms, enable predictive maintenance, optimize route planning, and proactively alert managers to potential deviations before spoilage occurs. Additionally, this level of transparency enhances cold chain integrity, reduces insurance premiums, and builds stakeholder trust. This demand for end-to-end visibility and data-driven decision-making creates a lucrative avenue for automation solution providers.
Threat:
Equipment failures leading to spoilage
Automated systems, while highly reliable, are not infallible; malfunctions in refrigeration units, power failures in automated storage facilities, or software glitches in environmental controls can occur. Such events can lead to complete spoilage of temperature-sensitive cargo, resulting in massive financial losses and damaging brand reputation. Additionally, this vulnerability can erode trust in automated solutions and heighten operator caution, potentially slowing investment and adoption rates despite the overall efficiency gains offered by automation.
Covid-19 Impact:
The COVID-19 pandemic had a dual impact on the market. Initially, it disrupted global supply chains, causing logistical delays and highlighting vulnerabilities in manual monitoring processes. However, it ultimately acted as a potent accelerator for automation. The unprecedented demand for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, especially vaccines requiring ultra-cold chain storage, underscored the critical need for resilient, automated logistics solutions. This urgent necessity drove rapid investment in automated storage, IoT-based monitoring, and contactless handling systems to ensure supply chain integrity and efficiency during the global health crisis.
The hardware segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The hardware segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period due to the high capital intensity required for foundational automation infrastructure. This segment includes essential components like automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic palletizers, and advanced refrigeration units. These physical systems form the core of any automated cold chain operation, enabling high-density storage, efficient product movement, and precise environmental control. The significant upfront investment in these durable and mission-critical assets ensures that hardware will continue to dominate the market's revenue structure.
The pharmaceuticals & healthcare segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
Over the forecast period, the pharmaceuticals & healthcare segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate driven by stringent regulatory requirements and the increasing global distribution of complex biologics, vaccines, and trial medications. These products often have very narrow temperature tolerances and require unbroken cold chain integrity from manufacture to patient. Automation provides the necessary accuracy, monitoring, and documentation for compliance with standards like Good Distribution Practice (GDP). Moreover, the rising global focus on healthcare and lessons learned from COVID-19 vaccine distribution are fueling substantial investment in automated logistics within this sector.
Region with largest share:
During the forecast period, the North America region is expected to hold the largest market share. This dominance is attributed to its mature and advanced pharmaceutical and food & beverage sectors, which have early and high adoption rates of automation technologies. The presence of strict regulatory frameworks from agencies like the FDA and a strong focus on reducing supply chain risks further propels investment. Additionally, the region has a high concentration of leading automation solution providers and the necessary capital infrastructure to implement large-scale automated cold chain facilities, consolidating its leading market position.
Region with highest CAGR:
Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR. This accelerated growth is fueled by rapid economic expansion, increasing international trade in perishable goods, and significant government investments in upgrading cold chain infrastructure. The growing pharmaceutical manufacturing base, especially in India and China, coupled with rising domestic demand for processed foods and vaccines, creates a potent demand for automated logistics solutions. Moreover, the increasing penetration of automation and IoT technologies to improve supply chain efficiency supports the region's high growth potential.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market include Americold Logistics, Lineage Logistics, NewCold, Burris Logistics, Daifuku, Dematic, Honeywell International, Körber, KNAPP, Swisslog, TGW Logistics Group and Vanderlande.
Key Developments:
In August 2025, Americold announced the opening of its first import-export hub in partnership with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). This 335,000-square-foot facility in Kansas City represents a strategic collaboration to streamline cross-border trade and reduce transit times for temperature-sensitive goods. President Rob Chambers emphasized their focus on ""attacking inefficiencies in the supply chain by co-locating cold storage with rail access"".
In July 2025, NewCold deepened its strategic partnership with CtrlChain to develop a fully integrated, technology-driven solution for cold storage and transportation. The partnership aims to create a connected supply chain ecosystem that anticipates risks, improves demand forecasting, and automates operations. CEO Bram Hage emphasized pushing ""the industry toward greater transparency by breaking down barriers and integrating data from all supply chain stakeholders into a single, centralized place
In April 2025, Lineage announced plans to deploy approximately $1 billion in capital for acquisitions and greenfield developments. The expansion includes acquiring four existing cold storage warehouses from Tyson Foods for $247 million, and developing two fully automated cold storage warehouses totaling over 80 million cubic feet and nearly 260,000 pallet positions. The new facilities will utilize LinOS, Lineage's proprietary warehouse execution technology.
In October 2024, Lineage celebrated the grand opening of a fully automated cold storage warehouse in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. This facility represents a significant investment in automation to meet growing demand.
Components:
• Hardware
• Software
• Services
Temperature Ranges Covered:
• Chilled (0°C to 15°C)
• Frozen (-18°C to 0°C)
• Deep-Frozen/Ultra-Low (Below -20°C)
Applications Covered:
• Storage Automation
• Transportation Automation
End Users Covered:
• Food & Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
• Chemicals & Specialty Materials
• Other End Users
Regions Covered:
• North America
o US
o Canada
o Mexico
• Europe
o Germany
o UK
o Italy
o France
o Spain
o Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
o Japan
o China
o India
o Australia
o New Zealand
o South Korea
o Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
o Argentina
o Brazil
o Chile
o Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
o Saudi Arabia
o UAE
o Qatar
o South Africa
o Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements
Free Customization Offerings:
All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:
• Company Profiling
o Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
o SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
o Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
o Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances
Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary
2 Preface
2.1 Abstract
2.2 Stake Holders
2.3 Research Scope
2.4 Research Methodology
2.4.1 Data Mining
2.4.2 Data Analysis
2.4.3 Data Validation
2.4.4 Research Approach
2.5 Research Sources
2.5.1 Primary Research Sources
2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources
2.5.3 Assumptions
3 Market Trend Analysis
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Drivers
3.3 Restraints
3.4 Opportunities
3.5 Threats
3.6 Application Analysis
3.7 End User Analysis
3.8 Emerging Markets
3.9 Impact of Covid-19
4 Porters Five Force Analysis
4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers
4.2 Bargaining power of buyers
4.3 Threat of substitutes
4.4 Threat of new entrants
4.5 Competitive rivalry
5 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Component
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Hardware
5.2.1 Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
5.2.2 Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
5.2.3 Conveyor Systems
5.2.4 Sensors
5.2.5 RFID and Barcode Scanners
5.2.6 Refrigeration and Cooling Units
5.3 Software
5.3.1 Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
5.3.2 Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
5.3.3 Inventory Management Software
5.3.4 IoT Platforms and Data Analytics
5.3.5 Predictive Analytics and AI
5.4 Services
5.4.1 Implementation and Integration Services
5.4.2 Consulting Services
5.4.3 Maintenance and Support Services
6 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Temperature Range
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Chilled (0°C to 15°C)
6.3 Frozen (-18°C to 0°C)
6.4 Deep-Frozen/Ultra-Low (Below -20°C)
7 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Application
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Storage Automation
7.2.1 Automated Warehouses and Cold Storage Facilities
7.2.2 Automated Picking and Packing
7.2.3 Automated Palletizing
7.3 Transportation Automation
7.3.1 Real-time Tracking and Monitoring
7.3.2 Automated Loading and Unloading
7.3.3 Route Optimization
8 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market, By End User
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Food & Beverages
8.2.1 Meat, Poultry, and Seafood
8.2.2 Dairy and Frozen Desserts
8.2.3 Fruits, Vegetables, and Concentrates
8.2.4 Processed Foods
8.2.5 Bakery and Confectionery
8.3 Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
8.3.1 Vaccines and Biopharmaceuticals
8.3.2 Clinical Trial Materials
8.3.3 Blood Banks and Organs
8.3.4 Medications and Drugs
8.4 Chemicals & Specialty Materials
8.5 Other End Users
9 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Geography
9.1 Introduction
9.2 North America
9.2.1 US
9.2.2 Canada
9.2.3 Mexico
9.3 Europe
9.3.1 Germany
9.3.2 UK
9.3.3 Italy
9.3.4 France
9.3.5 Spain
9.3.6 Rest of Europe
9.4 Asia Pacific
9.4.1 Japan
9.4.2 China
9.4.3 India
9.4.4 Australia
9.4.5 New Zealand
9.4.6 South Korea
9.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific
9.5 South America
9.5.1 Argentina
9.5.2 Brazil
9.5.3 Chile
9.5.4 Rest of South America
9.6 Middle East & Africa
9.6.1 Saudi Arabia
9.6.2 UAE
9.6.3 Qatar
9.6.4 South Africa
9.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa
10 Key Developments
10.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures
10.2 Acquisitions & Mergers
10.3 New Product Launch
10.4 Expansions
10.5 Other Key Strategies
11 Company Profiling
11.1 Americold Logistics
11.2 Lineage Logistics
11.3 NewCold
11.4 Burris Logistics
11.5 Daifuku
11.6 Dematic
11.7 Honeywell International
11.8 Körber
11.9 KNAPP
11.10 Swisslog
11.11 TGW Logistics Group
11.12 Vanderlande
List of Tables
1 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Region (2024-2032) ($MN)
2 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Component (2024-2032) ($MN)
3 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Hardware (2024-2032) ($MN)
4 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) (2024-2032) ($MN)
5 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) (2024-2032) ($MN)
6 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Conveyor Systems (2024-2032) ($MN)
7 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Sensors (2024-2032) ($MN)
8 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By RFID and Barcode Scanners (2024-2032) ($MN)
9 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Refrigeration and Cooling Units (2024-2032) ($MN)
10 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Software (2024-2032) ($MN)
11 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) (2024-2032) ($MN)
12 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Transportation Management Systems (TMS) (2024-2032) ($MN)
13 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Inventory Management Software (2024-2032) ($MN)
14 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By IoT Platforms and Data Analytics (2024-2032) ($MN)
15 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Predictive Analytics and AI (2024-2032) ($MN)
16 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Services (2024-2032) ($MN)
17 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Implementation and Integration Services (2024-2032) ($MN)
18 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Consulting Services (2024-2032) ($MN)
19 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Maintenance and Support Services (2024-2032) ($MN)
20 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Temperature Range (2024-2032) ($MN)
21 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Chilled (0°C to 15°C) (2024-2032) ($MN)
22 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Frozen (-18°C to 0°C) (2024-2032) ($MN)
23 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Deep-Frozen/Ultra-Low (Below -20°C) (2024-2032) ($MN)
24 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Application (2024-2032) ($MN)
25 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Storage Automation (2024-2032) ($MN)
26 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Automated Warehouses and Cold Storage Facilities (2024-2032) ($MN)
27 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Automated Picking and Packing (2024-2032) ($MN)
28 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Automated Palletizing (2024-2032) ($MN)
29 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Transportation Automation (2024-2032) ($MN)
30 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Real-time Tracking and Monitoring (2024-2032) ($MN)
31 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Automated Loading and Unloading (2024-2032) ($MN)
32 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Route Optimization (2024-2032) ($MN)
33 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By End User (2024-2032) ($MN)
34 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Food & Beverages (2024-2032) ($MN)
35 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Meat, Poultry, and Seafood (2024-2032) ($MN)
36 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Dairy and Frozen Desserts (2024-2032) ($MN)
37 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Fruits, Vegetables, and Concentrates (2024-2032) ($MN)
38 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Processed Foods (2024-2032) ($MN)
39 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Bakery and Confectionery (2024-2032) ($MN)
40 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare (2024-2032) ($MN)
41 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Vaccines and Biopharmaceuticals (2024-2032) ($MN)
42 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Clinical Trial Materials (2024-2032) ($MN)
43 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Blood Banks and Organs (2024-2032) ($MN)
44 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Medications and Drugs (2024-2032) ($MN)
45 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Chemicals & Specialty Materials (2024-2032) ($MN)
46 Global Automation in Cold Chain Logistics Market Outlook, By Other End Users (2024-2032) ($MN)
Note: Tables for North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East & Africa Regions are also represented in the same manner as above.
List of Figures
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
We at ‘Stratistics’ opt for an extensive research approach which involves data mining, data validation, and data analysis. The various research sources include in-house repository, secondary research, competitor’s sources, social media research, client internal data, and primary research.
Our team of analysts prefers the most reliable and authenticated data sources in order to perform the comprehensive literature search. With access to most of the authenticated data bases our team highly considers the best mix of information through various sources to obtain extensive and accurate analysis.
Each report takes an average time of a month and a team of 4 industry analysts. The time may vary depending on the scope and data availability of the desired market report. The various parameters used in the market assessment are standardized in order to enhance the data accuracy.
Data Mining
The data is collected from several authenticated, reliable, paid and unpaid sources and is filtered depending on the scope & objective of the research. Our reports repository acts as an added advantage in this procedure. Data gathering from the raw material suppliers, distributors and the manufacturers is performed on a regular basis, this helps in the comprehensive understanding of the products value chain. Apart from the above mentioned sources the data is also collected from the industry consultants to ensure the objective of the study is in the right direction.
Market trends such as technological advancements, regulatory affairs, market dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Challenges) are obtained from scientific journals, market related national & international associations and organizations.
Data Analysis
From the data that is collected depending on the scope & objective of the research the data is subjected for the analysis. The critical steps that we follow for the data analysis include:
- Product Lifecycle Analysis
- Competitor analysis
- Risk analysis
- Porters Analysis
- PESTEL Analysis
- SWOT Analysis
The data engineering is performed by the core industry experts considering both the Marketing Mix Modeling and the Demand Forecasting. The marketing mix modeling makes use of multiple-regression techniques to predict the optimal mix of marketing variables. Regression factor is based on a number of variables and how they relate to an outcome such as sales or profits.
Data Validation
The data validation is performed by the exhaustive primary research from the expert interviews. This includes telephonic interviews, focus groups, face to face interviews, and questionnaires to validate our research from all aspects. The industry experts we approach come from the leading firms, involved in the supply chain ranging from the suppliers, distributors to the manufacturers and consumers so as to ensure an unbiased analysis.
We are in touch with more than 15,000 industry experts with the right mix of consultants, CEO's, presidents, vice presidents, managers, experts from both supply side and demand side, executives and so on.
The data validation involves the primary research from the industry experts belonging to:
- Leading Companies
- Suppliers & Distributors
- Manufacturers
- Consumers
- Industry/Strategic Consultants
Apart from the data validation the primary research also helps in performing the fill gap research, i.e. providing solutions for the unmet needs of the research which helps in enhancing the reports quality.
For more details about research methodology, kindly write to us at info@strategymrc.com
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