Cold chain packaging manufacturers: who leads the field in 2025?
Actualizado: Noviembre 16, 2025
En 2025 El mercado mundial de envases de cadena de frío está en auge.. Growing demand for pharmaceuticals, biológicos, vacunas, fresh foods and other temperature sensitive products has lifted the market value to around A NOSOTROS $27.7 mil millones y los analistas esperan que alcance A NOSOTROS $102.1 mil millones por 2034. To protect delicate goods, fabricantes de envases de cadena de frío have adopted smart sensors, sustainable materials and reusable designs, and they must comply with strict regulatory standards. If you’re wondering which manufacturers lead the field, what innovations they offer and how to choose the right partner, this comprehensive guide demystifies the market.
Definition and basics: what cold chain packaging is and why it matters, with insights on vacuum sealed (criovac) packaging and reusable temperature controlled systems.
Key manufacturers: profiles of Sonoco ThermoSafe, Peli Biotérmico, Tecnologías de la cadena de frío, Aire sellado (criovac), va Q tec and Softbox/CSafe with notable products and sustainability pledges.
Ideas del mercado: analysis of product categories, applications and regional trends, plus market drivers and constraints.
2025 tendencias: how AI, IoT, automatización, sustainability and stricter regulations are shaping packaging designs.
Preguntas frecuentes: answers to common questions about shelf life, compliance and choosing suppliers.
What is cold chain packaging and why is it critical?
Embalaje de cadena fría refers to insulated containers, phase change materials and monitoring devices designed to keep products within strict temperature ranges during storage and transportation. This packaging ensures that pharmaceuticals, biológicos, vacunas, fresh foods and other temperature sensitive goods remain potent and safe. Sin embalaje adecuado, temperature excursions can degrade vaccines or spoil food, lo que genera residuos y riesgos para la salud. Modern cold chain packaging includes single use boxes, transportistas de paletas reutilizables, temperature logging devices and smart labels.
Sellado al vacío (criovac) embalaje: preservando la frescura
Cryovac packaging is a vacuum sealing technique often used for meats and dairy products. The process involves placing the product in a high barrier, airtight bag, removing the air and heat sealing the bag. This method eliminates oxygen, prevents spoilage and dramatically extends shelf life. An additional benefit is reduced plastic use; Cryovac packages create a tight skin around the product, cutting down on material consumption and minimizando el desperdicio. Unlike simple vacuum bags, Cryovac uses specialized materials and machinery to provide improved product protection, leak resistance and durability, making it popular for high value cuts and export shipments.
Consejo: If you regularly ship fresh or frozen proteins, consider suppliers that offer Cryovac or vacuum packaging options; they can extend shelf life and reduce waste.
Reusable temperature controlled packaging
Reusable cold chain packaging systems use durable insulated containers and replaceable refrigerants to maintain temperatures over multiple trips. This approach lowers total cost of ownership and reduces environmental impact. Según un 2025 informe de mercado, el reusable temperature controlled packaging market reached US $2.5 mil millones en 2024 y se espera que se duplique 2033. Reusable designs support sustainability goals by minimizing single use waste and often integrate digital tracking to ensure safe returns. Al evaluar proveedores, check whether they offer return logistics and refurbishment services.
How is the cold chain packaging market structured?
Product categories and market share
Analysts segment the cold chain packaging market into insulated containers, transportistas de paletas, refrigerantes (materiales de cambio de fase y paquetes de gel) y dispositivos de monitoreo. Contenedores aislados (cajas, tubs and pouches) cuenta por aproximadamente 40 % del mercado, mientras transportistas de paletas espera 25 %. Materiales de cambio de fase y dispositivos de monitoreo inteligentes provide precise temperature control and real time visibility. Con creciente énfasis en la sostenibilidad, sistemas reutilizables y Refrigerantes naturales such as water based gels are gaining traction.
Application sectors
Pharmaceuticals and biologics dominate the cold chain packaging market, representante 55 % de demanda, while food and beverages account for roughly 35 %. Growth in gene and cell therapies, Vacunas de ARNm, specialty pharmacy and direct to patient deliveries increases demand for ultra cold (-80 °C a -150 °C) and cryogenic packaging solutions. Productos frescos, seafood and dairy require moderate cold (0 °C a 8 °C), while frozen foods need deep frozen (-20 °C) capacidades.
Regional outlook
The market is global but concentrated in North America, Europa y Asia. North America leads due to strong pharmaceutical production and e grocery services, while Asia Pacific is the región de más rápido crecimiento driven by expanding cold storage infrastructure. According to TowardsPackaging, el mercado estaba A NOSOTROS $34.28 mil millones en 2024 and will climb to nearly US $90 mil millones por 2034 (CAGR ≈ 11 %).
How to choose a cold chain packaging manufacturer
Picking the right partner involves balancing technical performance, sostenibilidad, cost and service. Consider the following criteria:
Rendimiento de temperatura & tener tiempo: Does the solution meet your required temperature range and duration (p.ej., 2–8 °C para 96 horas)?
Cumplimiento regulatorio: Are products tested to standards like ISTA 7D y compatible con PIB y IATA requisitos? Reputable manufacturers will provide qualification data.
Reutilizable vs. un solo uso: Reusable systems offer lower long term cost and environmental benefits; single use boxes may suit small or one off shipments.
Sostenibilidad: Check whether materials are recyclable or biodegradable and whether manufacturers have sustainability pledges.
Monitoreo digital: Modern solutions integrate IoT sensors, data loggers and platforms for real time visibility and predictive analytics.
Soporte global & logística: Choose partners with global service networks to ensure packaging availability and return logistics.
Profiles of leading cold chain packaging manufacturers
Below we spotlight major manufacturers and highlight their flagship products, sustainability initiatives and key differentiators.
Sonoco ThermoSafe
Descripción general. Termoso (now being sold by Sonoco to Arsenal Capital Partners for up to US $725 million as announced in September 2025) has long been a global leader in temperature controlled packaging. The company specializes in insulated shippers, paquetes de gel, Materiales de cambio de fase, dry ice containers and custom engineering services for pharmaceuticals, biológicos y vacunas. ThermoSafe generado sobre A NOSOTROS $240 millones en ventas en 2024.
Innovations and services.
Comprehensive product range: From cold shipping boxes and gel packs to ladrillos de espuma y contenedores aislados duraderos, ThermoSafe offers solutions for parcel and pallet shipments.
Engineering and testing: The company provides custom design, thermal testing and consulting to tailor packaging to client needs.
Global network: With a worldwide presence, ThermoSafe can support cross border shipments and return logistics.
Recent developments. En 2025 Sonoco agreed to sell ThermoSafe to Arsenal Capital Partners, signaling a strategic pivot for Sonoco while maintaining ThermoSafe’s focus on advanced cold chain solutions.
Peli Biotérmico
Descripción general. Peli BioThermal designs reusable temperature controlled shippers such as the Cubo Credo™ y Credo™ GO and offers rental programs. The company emphasizes sustainability and reduced dry ice usage.
Crēdo Cube™ Dry Ice shipper. This reusable parcel shipper maintains ultra cold conditions (down to -20 ° C o inferior) por más 144 horas; some modules achieve up to 240 horas de tiempo de espera. It reduces dry ice consumption by 75 %, supporting companies’ ESG goals, while providing precision and reliability. Peli BioThermal positions the Crēdo Cube as a safer alternative to single use EPS boxes for deep frozen biologics and gene therapies.
Colaboraciones de la industria. Peli BioThermal works with logistics partners like Biocair to deliver global solutions. Thought leadership articles emphasize the importance of validated packaging, global availability and collaboration to maintain strict temperature ranges and regulatory compliance. Peli BioThermal and Biocair are jointly developing reusable systems to reduce environmental impact and maintain product integrity during extended transit.
Tecnologías de la cadena de frío (CCT)
Descripción general. CCT is a provider of insulated packaging and digital monitoring solutions for life sciences. Its offerings include cargadores reutilizables, cajas sostenibles de un solo uso, thermal covers y digital services. CCT ships more than 12.5 million reusable shippers cada año, evitando encima 102 millones de libras de residuos de vertederos and has distributed over 500 million COVID 19 vaccine doses.
Plataforma de soluciones inteligentes. CCT Soluciones inteligentes platform uses AI and IoT to plan, execute and monitor shipments. The platform recommends packaging solutions based on duration, rango de temperatura requerido, shipper type and weather; consolidates ordering for gel packs, phase change materials and reusable shippers; and integrates real time tracking via cellular loggers and geofencing. Predictive analytics provide insights to prevent thermal excursions.
Acquisition of Tower Cold Chain. En enero 2025 CCT announced the acquisition of Tower Cold Chain, a passive reusable packaging specialist, expanding its product portfolio and global footprint.
Aire sellado (Marca Cryovac®)
Descripción general. Sealed Air pioneered the Cryovac® vacuum sealed packaging process and is known for high barrier films and shrink bags used to extend shelf life of meats and dairy. The company has pledged that all packaging solutions will be 100 % recyclable or reusable by 2025 and plans to achieve 50 % average recycled content (60 % post consumer).
Iniciativas de sostenibilidad. Sealed Air invests in plant based materials like Plantic™ starch films y EcoPure™ foams, and works with partners to develop curbside recyclable temperature assurance solutions. Through its membership in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy, Sealed Air advocates for circular packaging systems.
Cryovac packaging benefits. Cryovac packaging uses specialized high barrier bags and controlled heat sealing to extender la vida útil y proporcionar leak resistant, durable protection. While Cryovac systems are more expensive than basic vacuum sealing, they offer improved product safety and quality, making them a preferred choice for exporters.
va q tec
Descripción general. German company va q tec is a technology leader in paneles de aislamiento al vacío (VIP), Materiales de cambio de fase (PCM) y thermal packaging systems. Its solutions combine high performance insulation with sustainable materials and reusable designs.
Paneles de aislamiento de vacío. va Q tec’s VIPs provide up to ten times better insulation than conventional materials and deliver arriba a 90 % better performance. They enable energy efficient packaging with minimal thickness, making them ideal for high value pharmaceuticals, electronics and perishable foods. Product advantages include decades long durability, customized shapes and coatings, patented va Q check® quality testing for each panel, y climate neutral production in Germany.
Materiales de cambio de fase. The company has developed customized PCMs for over 15 años. PCMs act as latent heat storage elements, stabilizing temperatures in transport boxes and battery cases. va Q tec’s compact PCM formats (hard or soft shells) can be used directly in transport boxes or containers to maintain constant temperatures. They are widely used for pharmaceuticals, sensitive food and battery management applications.
Thermal packaging systems. Combining VIPs and PCMs, va Q tec’s systems offer high performance insulation with reusable designs and digital monitoring. They emphasize quality, confiabilidad y sostenibilidad. The company also provides tools like U value calculators y Kelvin Hours calculators to help customers model thermal performance.
Softbox/CSafe
Descripción general. Softbox, now part of CSafe Global, specializes in passive temperature controlled packaging for the pharmaceutical and life science industries. Its solutions integrate paneles aislados al vacío, Materiales de cambio de fase y seguimiento en tiempo real.
Softbox VIP and VIP+. El Softbox VIP parcel solution uses best in class VIP insulation and is available in single use or multi use configurations. It is designed for payload sizes from 5 l a 56 l and provides hold times of 96 a 240 horas depending on configuration. Temperature ranges include -25 °C a -15 °C, +2 °C a +8 °C, +15 °C a +25 °C y below −60 °C (hielo seco). El VIP+ version adds enhanced reusability and an integrated data logger for real time shipment visibility. Features include reusable carton design, integrated handles, simplified pack out, ISTA 7D qualification, y un reuse and requalification program.
Other innovations. Earlier Softbox products like Tempcel ECO, Tempcell MAX y Silverpod MAX demonstrate the company’s innovation in recyclable materials and PCM technology. Tempcell ECO uses corrugated paper and is 100 % kerbside recyclable. Tempcell MAX offers 96 horas de protección térmica usando un SilverSkin™ radiant barrier and recyclable PCM coolants. Silverpod MAX is a high performance pallet shipper with PCM coolants and a reflective barrier for enhanced thermal performance. Softbox also introduced AEON Metro, a reusable multi drop delivery shipper that provides arriba a 48 horas of protection and reduces the need for temperature controlled vehicles.
Comparative summary
| Manufacturer | Flagship products | Ventajas clave | Lo que significa para ti |
| Sonoco ThermoSafe | Cajas de envío en frío, paquetes de gel, ladrillos de espuma; custom engineering services | Comprehensive portfolio; red mundial; engineering expertise | Reliable partner for a wide range of temperature ranges and shipment sizes; engineering support simplifies custom needs |
| Peli Biotérmico | Crēdo Cube™ reusable shippers; Crēdo GO; programas de alquiler | Rendimiento ultrafrío (144–240 h hold time); reduces dry ice usage by 75 %; sustainability focus | Ideal for gene therapy and biologics requiring deep frozen shipments; rental program lowers capital investment |
| Tecnologías de la cadena de frío (CCT) | Smart Solutions digital platform; reusable pallet and parcel shippers; thermal covers | AI driven planning, Seguimiento de IoT, análisis predictivo; 12.5 million reusable shippers/year | Provides end to end visibility and optimization; reduces waste and improves compliance |
| Aire sellado (criovac) | Cryovac® vacuum sealed bags and shrink films; plant based and recyclable materials | Extiende la vida útil; high barrier properties; pledge for 100 % recyclable/reusable packaging by 2025 | Suitable for meats and dairy; sustainable packaging helps meet corporate ESG goals |
| va q tec | Paneles de aislamiento de vacío (VIP); Materiales de cambio de fase (PCM); thermal packaging systems | Up to ten times better insulation; custom shapes; climate neutral production | Best for high value pharma or electronics requiring compact, aislamiento de alto rendimiento; sustainable design reduces energy use |
| Softbox/CSafe | Softbox VIP and VIP+ shippers; Tempcell ECO/MAX; Silverpod MAX; AEON Metro | Largos tiempos de espera (96–240 h); Aislamiento VIP; integrated data loggers; materiales reciclables | Offers flexible parcel and pallet solutions, from ultra cold to ambient; reusability and real time tracking enhance control |
Consejos prácticos y recomendaciones.
Match hold time to transit time. Ensure the shipper’s thermal duration (p.ej., 96 o 240 horas) covers the entire journey including potential delays.
Use digital monitoring. Select packaging with integrated data loggers or IoT sensors; real time alerts help prevent temperature excursions.
Priorizar la sostenibilidad. Choose reusable systems, recyclable materials and manufacturers with clear sustainability commitments.
Planificar la logística de devolución. For reusable shippers, coordinate collection and refurbishment to maximize environmental benefits.
Ejemplo de caso: Estados Unidos. biotech company shipping mRNA vaccines to Southeast Asia used Peli BioThermal’s Crēdo Cube™ Dry Ice and integrated data loggers. The 240 hour hold time and 75 % reduction in dry ice consumption allowed them to maintain -80 °C conditions for five days and significantly cut CO₂ emissions. By coupling the shipper with digital tracking from CCT, the firm achieved zero temperature excursions and simplified customs clearance.
Tendencias emergentes en 2025
AI, automatización y robótica
The cold chain industry is embracing Optimización de rutas impulsada por IA, análisis predictivo y manipulación robótica to counter labor shortages and improve efficiency. Automation enhances warehouse throughput and reduces human errors, while AI forecasts delays and suggests alternative routes. These technologies also enable dynamic planning for packaging selection and refrigerant quantities.
Real time tracking and visibility
End to end visibility has become a standard requirement. IoT sensors embedded in packages transmit temperature, datos de humedad y ubicación en tiempo real. Modern platforms like CCT’s Smart Solutions combine cellular data loggers, geocercado y análisis predictivo. This allows shippers to intervene before excursions occur and supports regulatory compliance.
Sustainability and circular economies
Sustainability is now a core value. Companies are committing to 100 % recyclable or reusable packaging por 2025 and developing plant based films and biodegradable foams. Reusable systems reduce waste and lower carbon footprints, mientras Refrigerantes naturales y almacenamiento en frío con energía solar cut energy consumption. Manufacturers such as Softbox and va Q tec design products with minimal materials yet long service life.
Growth of pharmaceutical and biologics segments
El auge de los biológicos, terapias genéticas y celulares, and personalized medicine demands precise temperature control. Portátil congeladores criogénicos que mantienen -80 °C a -150 °C for extended periods and integrate real time monitoring are emerging. Regulatory frameworks like the A NOSOTROS. FDA’s Drug Supply Chain Security Act y Embalaje de la UE & Reglamento sobre residuos de envases (Páginas) require serialization and traceability, reinforcing the need for smart packaging.
Modernizing infrastructure and last mile delivery
Investments in cold storage warehouses, last mile delivery services and refrigeración con energía solar are critical to meet demand in developing regions. Por ejemplo, solar powered cold rooms enable vaccine distribution in rural areas. Real time route optimization and AI improve last mile efficiency and reduce spoilage.
Preguntas frecuentes
What temperature ranges do most cold chain packages cover?
Shippers typically fall into four categories: helado (< -60 °C), congelado (-25 °C a -15 °C), refrigerado (2 °C a 8 °C) y temperatura ambiente controlada (15 °C a 25 °C). Choose packaging certified for your product’s range and duration.
How long can Cryovac packaged meat last in the freezer?
Cryovac vacuum packaging removes oxygen and extends freezer shelf life; meats can often stay safe a hasta 18 meses en 0 °F depending on fat content. Siga siempre las pautas del fabricante..
Do reusable shippers save money?
Sí. While initial costs are higher, reusability reduces per shipment expenses and waste. Market studies show reusable packaging is projected to grow at 10 % Tocón, alcance A NOSOTROS $5.8 mil millones por 2033.
How can I ensure my shipments comply with regulations?
Work with manufacturers who provide GDP and ISTA 7D qualification data and use IATA compliant embalaje. Integrated data loggers and digital platforms help document temperature history and support audits.
What is the difference between Cryovac and basic vacuum sealing?
Cryovac is a brand of vacuum sealing that uses specialized high barrier materials and controlled heat sealing to extend shelf life and improve product safety. Basic vacuum sealing typically uses simpler materials and equipment and may not offer the same durability or leak resistance.
Conclusion and recommendations
The cold chain packaging market is evolving rapidly. Key manufacturers such as Sonoco ThermoSafe, Peli Biotérmico, Tecnologías de la cadena de frío, Aire sellado, va q tec, y Softbox/CSafe are innovating with reusable systems, high performance insulation and digital monitoring. Al elegir pareja, considerar los requisitos de temperatura, cumplimiento regulatorio, sustainability goals and after sales support. Adopt platforms that provide predictive analytics and real time visibility to reduce risk. Finalmente, stay informed about emerging trends—automation, materiales sostenibles, and AI will continue to shape the market through 2025 y más allá.
Acerca de Tempk
Tempk is a leading provider of end to end cold chain solutions. combinamos thermal engineering expertise con cutting edge technologies to design and validate packaging for pharmaceuticals, biotecnología, aplicaciones alimentarias e industriales. Our team partners with clients to develop sustainable, cost effective and compliant solutions that protect product integrity. We offer consulting, diseño, calificación, testing and digital monitoring, enabling you to deliver life saving products with confidence.
Listo para optimizar su cadena fría? Póngase en contacto con nuestros expertos hoy for tailored guidance, packaging audits or a hands on demonstration of our latest solutions. Together we can ensure every degree matters.
