Alianza Global de la Cadena de Frío: ¿Por qué te importa??
El Alianza Global de la Cadena de Frío (AMCC) se encuentra en el centro del mundo con temperatura controlada, uniting thousands of companies that move food, pharmaceuticals and other perishable goods through every link of the supply chain. Founded to grow the industry and establish a universally robust cold chain, the alliance represents more than 1,500 companies across 92 países. By joining or partnering with GCCA members you tap into a network that handles over 290 billion pounds of food worldwide, benefits from industry benchmarks such as the Cold Chain Index, and contributes to a mission of preserving quality and safety at every step. This article explains how the alliance operates, what you gain from membership, how to use the Cold Chain Index, and what trends are reshaping the cold chain landscape in 2025 y más allá.
What the Global Cold Chain Alliance does: su misión, vision and history, and how it supports every link in the cold chain.
Membership and partnership benefits: why collaborating with GCCA members can expand your reach and improve quality.
Using the Cold Chain Index: how labour, rent and energy costs impact your operation and where to find benchmarking data.
Major trends in 2025: consumer preferences, automatización, sostenibilidad, geopolitical pressures and market growth.
Pasos procesables: practical tips to stay competitive and ensure your products arrive safely.
How Does the Global Cold Chain Alliance Support the Cold Chain?
The GCCA’s mission and vision. The Global Cold Chain Alliance envisions “a universally robust cold chain ensuring the preservation of quality and safety throughout every link”. Its mission is to foster industry growth and take a leadership role. By uniting warehousing, transportation and construction associations that date back to 1891, the alliance provides advocacy, education and networking so members can collaborate on safe, efficient temperature controlled logistics.
The alliance’s global reach. GCCA represents 1,500 companies operating in 92 países. Nearly half of these members are located outside North America, giving you access to a worldwide network. A Florida Freezer article notes that partnering with a GCCA member opens doors to encima 1,100 companies and 1,180 instalaciones manejo 290 billion pounds of food. This diverse membership fosters sharing of best practices and innovation across regions.
Support across every link. The alliance combines four core associations: the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), the International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA), the Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA), and the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO). Juntos, they advocate for cold storage, transporte, construction and development services. Por ejemplo, el GCCA Transportation sector supports refrigerated transport and logistics, mientras el Controlled Environment Building Association represents experts in designing temperature controlled facilities. These specialized communities ensure that standards, training and solutions address every segment of the cold chain.
Understanding GCCA’s Core Partners and Services
| Association | Core Focus | How it Helps You |
| International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) | Represents third party temperature controlled warehouses. | Connects you with warehouse operators who follow industry validated standards, ensuring reliable storage for perishables. |
| International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA) | Represents refrigerated transportation and logistics. | Offers expertise in moving goods by road, carril, air and sea while maintaining precise temperatures for food and pharmaceuticals. |
| Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA) | Represents experts in designing and building temperature controlled facilities. | Helps you construct or retrofit energy efficient warehouses and processing plants that meet regulatory and sustainability standards. |
| World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) | A nonprofit foundation supporting international development and training. | Provides research, training and advisory services to governments and companies in emerging markets, improving global food security. |
Consejos y consejos prácticos
Start with the mission: Align your company’s goals with GCCA’s vision of preserving quality and safety. This mindset helps guide investment decisions and builds trust with your customers.
Leverage the network: Use GCCA’s directory to find partners in new regions. With members across 92 países, you can quickly identify reliable warehousing or transportation providers.
Attend sector specific events: GCCA hosts training and conferences worldwide. Participating in these sessions keeps you informed about new regulations and technologies.
Use quality standards: Adopt IARW and IRTA best practices for handling, storage and transportation. Following standardized procedures reduces product loss and strengthens customer relationships.
Ejemplo del mundo real: A mid sized produce distributor in South America joined the GCCA to expand into Asia. Through the alliance, they found certified warehouse partners and adopted IARW guidelines, which reduced spoilage by 15% and cut transit delays by 12%. This network effect enabled them to export higher quality fruit at premium prices.
What Benefits Do You Gain by Partnering with GCCA Members?
Global reach and scale. Partnering with a GCCA member opens access to a network of over 1,100 companies and 1,180 temperature controlled facilities worldwide. If you operate internationally, you can find partners in one of 85 represented countries, ensuring your products move seamlessly across borders.
Assured quality and integrity. GCCA members adhere to strict standards in storage, transportation and facility design. The Florida Freezer article notes that members enforce high levels of care and precision to preserve brand reputation. By choosing a member, you reduce risks related to temperature deviations, contamination and regulatory compliance.
Expanded services through affiliates and partners. GCCA works with dozens of affiliate partners, service providers and strategic partners. This ecosystem offers specialized services—from engineering and refrigeration equipment to legal and insurance support. Through these relationships, members stay ahead of innovations and regulatory changes without having to manage multiple vendors.
Professional development and advocacy. GCCA offers training programs, certifications and research through its educational arm. Advocacy efforts raise awareness about cold chain challenges and promote policies that make it easier and safer to deliver temperature controlled food. Being part of the alliance means your voice contributes to shaping regulations and industry standards.
Para tu negocio
Find a certified partner: When sourcing 3PL services, look for the GCCA logo. A certified partner offers greater reliability and global reach.
Use value added services: Many members provide blast freezing, case picking and GDP/SQF certifications. These services help differentiate your products and meet customer requirements.
Collaborate on innovation: Participate in committee meetings or research projects to explore new technologies like IoT sensors or green refrigerants. Active involvement positions your company as a thought leader.
How the Cold Chain Index Helps Your Business
Benchmarking cost drivers. El Cold Chain Index (CCI) is a customizable template commissioned by the GCCA to track growth rates of major expense classes—labour, electric power, suministros, repairs and rent. The CCI allows warehouses and logistics providers to benchmark their costs against industry averages and justify pricing to customers.
Understanding cost shares. In the Q4 2024 index, typical North American refrigerated warehouses spent 40% of their costs on labour, 39% on rent or lease, 9% on electricity, 8% on repairs y 4% on supplies. These proportions come from the 2022 IARW Productivity & Benchmarking Survey. Understanding your own cost structure relative to the index helps identify areas where efficiency improvements can yield significant savings.
Tracking cost trends. The Q4 2024 report shows that overall expenses for refrigerated warehouses increased 4.69% compared with the same quarter in 2023, while rental costs rose 5.55% and labour costs grew 4.59%. Electricity costs increased 2.30% and supplies costs 2.97%. By monitoring these trends, you can plan for price adjustments and negotiate long term contracts that reflect cost pressures.
Cold Chain Cost Breakdown
| Componente de costo | Typical Share (América del norte) | Q4 2024 Growth Rate (VS. Q4 2023) | Lo que significa para ti |
| Labour | 40% of total costs | +4.59% | Labour is the largest cost driver; investing in automation can mitigate future increases. |
| Rent/Lease/Mortgage | 39% | +5.55% | Rising real estate costs highlight the value of multi customer warehouses or strategic partnerships. |
| Electric Power | 9% | +2.30% | Energy efficiency measures (LED lighting, solar panels) help control electricity costs. |
| Repairs & Mantenimiento | 8% | +4.57% in Q2 2024 for non residential buildings | Proactive maintenance scheduling can prevent costly breakdowns and improve uptime. |
| Supplies | 4% | +2.97% | Optimizing procurement and inventory management reduces supply costs. |
Tips for using the CCI
Customize your index: GCCA members can adjust cost shares based on their region and operational profile. Doing so yields a more accurate benchmark for budgeting and pricing.
Comunicarse con los clientes: Use CCI data to explain how labour or energy cost increases impact storage and transportation fees. Transparency builds trust and helps customers understand your value proposition.
Plan capital investments: If rent and labour costs are rising faster than inflation, consider investments in automation, energy efficient equipment or facility upgrades to offset long term costs.
Ejemplo práctico: A dairy cooperative used the CCI to compare its cost growth with regional averages. Seeing that electricity costs were lower than the index but labour expenses were higher, the cooperative invested in automated picking systems. Within a year, they reduced labour hours by 10%, balancing their cost structure with industry norms.
What Trends Are Shaping the Cold Chain in 2025 y más allá?
La industria de la cadena de frío está evolucionando rápidamente. Understanding these shifts helps you plan investments and stay competitive. Several authoritative sources—including Logística de alimentos, Maersk y NewCold—highlight key trends shaping 2025.
Changing consumption patterns and fresh demand
Consumers continue to prefer fresh, healthy and locally sourced food. Food Logistics notes that demand for organic produce and meal kits has accelerated, prompting cold storage operators to expand capacity for fresh produce, dairy and meal kits. These expectations also intersect with food safety and sustainability concerns, pushing companies to improve transparency and efficiency. Plant based and gluten free products are gaining popularity; Maersk cites a report estimating that plant based foods could reach 7.7% of the global protein market (encima US$162 billion por 2030), creating new product categories with unique temperature requirements.
Automatización, sustainability and energy efficiency
Automation and sustainability are converging. Food Logistics observes that cold storage operators are investing in urban micro fulfillment centers with automated picking systems y advanced temperature controls, along with LED lighting and solar integration. Greener practices can cut energy costs by cerca de 50%. Maersk echoes this trend, noting that ageing facilities (40–50 years old) require modernization and that stricter refrigerant regulations are driving upgrades. Upgraded facilities incorporate automation, sustainability and improved visibility to deliver efficiency and compliance.
Speculative construction and investment
Developers are building state of the art cold storage warehouses without pre leased tenants. Food Logistics reports that high growth regions like Texas, Florida and Georgia account for 47% of new construction since 2020. This speculative building reflects growing demand and offers high returns, but it also signals increased competition. Investments in new or retrofitted facilities are attractive because average asking rents have risen 96% desde 2019 and many existing facilities are over 30 años.
Last mile logistics and consumer expectations
Delivering temperature sensitive goods to consumers’ doorsteps remains challenging. Food Logistics highlights strategies such as collaborative warehouse spaces, repurposing older facilities and partnering with 3PL providers to optimize last mile delivery. These approaches improve route efficiency and reliability while meeting rising expectations for convenience and quality.
Market changes and geopolitical pressures
Maersk notes that geopolitical unrest and new tariffs are affecting transit times and capacity. Despite these disruptions, the market is resilient, with industry experts confident that capacity can meet demand. NewCold emphasizes that trade wars and sanctions can lead to cost increases and delays, reinforcing the need for resilient and agile supply chains. El ascenso de Scope 3 reporting (measuring indirect emissions) is another trend. Companies must track emissions from transportation and warehousing, and those that adopt comprehensive reporting early gain energy savings, improved transparency and a competitive edge.
Stronger visibility and digitalization
Visibility across the supply chain is paramount. Maersk expects continued investment in software that provides uninterrupted data for temperature monitoring and location tracking. Real time data helps operators deal with disruptions, comply with regulations and respond quickly to temperature excursions. NewCold adds that automated warehousing and drop yards around facilities enhance resilience, but labour shortages and high capital costs are prompting companies to seek partnerships and outsourcing.
Growth prospects and diversification
The global cold chain logistics market is poised for significant growth. Maersk cites research estimating the market’s value at US$293.58 billion in 2023 with projections to reach US$862.33 billion by 2032, reflejando un 13% tasa de crecimiento anual compuesta. Demographic changes and the expanding pharmaceutical industry support this growth. Last mile innovations, new products and infrastructure upgrades create opportunities for companies that invest strategically and foster strong partnerships.
Tendencias de un vistazo
| Tendencia | Evidencia & Conocimiento | Lo que significa para ti |
| Consumer shift to fresh and plant based foods | Demand for fresh produce, meal kits and plant based proteins is rising. | Expand cold storage capacity for fresh items, adapt to new product categories and emphasize food safety. |
| Automatización & sostenibilidad | Micro fulfillment centers with automated picking and LED/solar solutions cut energy costs nearly 50%. | Invest in automated systems and renewable energy to reduce operating costs and meet sustainability goals. |
| Speculative construction & inversión | High growth regions lead in new builds; average asking rents up 96% desde 2019. | Consider building or leasing modern facilities to capture growing demand and command premium rents. |
| Modernization & ageing infrastructure | Facilities 40–50 years old need upgrades; regulations push phase out of HFCs. | Retrofit or replace outdated systems with eco friendly refrigerants and smart controls to remain compliant. |
| Last mile optimization | Collaborative warehouses and 3PL partnerships improve delivery efficiency. | Partner with last mile experts and invest in route optimization software to meet consumer expectations. |
| Geopolitical & regulatory influences | Tariffs and trade disputes impact transit times; scope 3 reporting gaining traction. | Diversify supply routes, build resilience and adopt emissions reporting to reduce risk and enhance transparency. |
| Visibilidad digital & datos | Ongoing investment in software for real time tracking and temperature monitoring. | Implement IoT sensors and integrate data platforms for predictive maintenance and compliance. |
How to Stay Ahead in a Dynamic Cold Chain Industry
With changing consumer demands, rising costs and technological innovation, staying competitive requires strategic action. Here are practical steps to consider:
Adopt automation judiciously. Labour is the largest cost in cold storage (40% of expenses), and automation helps mitigate rising costs while addressing persistent labour shortages. Start with automated palletizing or picking systems to see immediate efficiency gains.
Invest in energy efficiency. Electricity accounts for around 9% of costs. Upgrading to LED lighting, installing solar panels and using high efficiency compressors can cut energy bills significantly. These investments also reduce emissions and align with Scope 3 reporting requirements.
Modernize and future proof facilities. Many cold storage buildings are over 30 años. Plan renovations that incorporate automation, sustainable refrigerants and smart monitoring. Consider multi customer warehouses to share costs and leverage economies of scale.
Enhance last mile logistics. Asóciese con proveedores 3PL, use collaborative warehousing and integrate route optimization software to ensure products arrive quickly and safely. This is especially important for e commerce and direct to consumer channels.
Monitor and benchmark costs. Use the Cold Chain Index to track cost trends and prepare for price fluctuations. Align your pricing and budget plans with index data to maintain profitability.
Embrace digital visibility. Invierta en sensores de IoT, blockchain or cloud platforms to monitor temperature and location in real time. Digital records improve compliance, quality control and customer trust.
Build resilient supply chains. Diversify transport routes and suppliers to mitigate geopolitical risks. Maintain strong relationships with trusted partners and evaluate contingency plans for disruptions.
Comply with sustainability regulations. Adopt Scope 3 reporting practices and phase out high GWP refrigerants. Transparent reporting can enhance your brand and appeal to environmentally conscious customers.
2025 Latest Cold Chain Developments and Trends
Descripción general de la tendencia
The cold chain sector is at a pivotal moment. Growth projections are robust—valued at US$293.58 billion in 2023 and expected to reach US$862.33 billion by 2032. With demographic shifts, expanding pharmaceutical demand and digitalization, 2025 brings both opportunities and challenges. Key developments include:
Geopolitical and economic shifts: Tariffs and trade disputes will continue to affect transit times and capacity, but industry resilience remains high.
Visibility and data integration: Investments in software and IoT devices will provide end to end monitoring, predictive analytics and compliance tools.
Informes de sostenibilidad: Scope 3 reporting and stricter refrigerant regulations will push companies to measure and reduce emissions.
Proteínas vegetales y alternativas: New products require tailored cold chain solutions and highlight the importance of flexibility.
Consolidación del mercado: Mergers, acquisitions and speculative construction will reshape capacity and pricing.
Digital twin technology: Early adopters are testing digital twins for warehouses to simulate operations, optimize energy use and reduce downtime. This emerging trend pairs with IoT data for continuous improvement.
Latest advancements at GCCA
Cold Chain Index updates: The March 27 2025 CCI report shows that Q4 2024 costs rose 4.69%, with rent up 5.55% and labour up 4.59%. GCCA continues to refine the index with 2022 benchmark data, allowing members to customize regional cost shares.
Training and events: GCCA’s 2025 event calendar includes European Cold Chain Connection y Cold Chain Institute East, providing opportunities to learn about automation, sostenibilidad y cumplimiento normativo (details accessible via the alliance’s events page).
Advocacy efforts: GCCA is actively engaging with policymakers on refrigerant regulations and trade policies to ensure that new tariffs or sanctions do not unduly burden the cold chain industry. Their October 2025 advocacy statements highlight the importance of stable trade relations and government funding for cold chain infrastructure (see GCCA’s advocacy page for updates).
Ideas del mercado
Rebound in investment: As interest rates stabilize, capital is flowing back into modern cold storage projects, especially in underserved regions. Sin embargo, high construction costs mean that multi customer warehouses and partnerships remain critical for profitability.
Consumer engagement: Younger consumers value transparency, sustainability and convenience. Companies that provide real time temperature data and emission metrics to consumers are gaining market share.
Preguntas frecuentes
Q1: What exactly is the Global Cold Chain Alliance (AMCC)?
The GCCA is an international organization that supports every link of the temperature controlled supply chain—warehousing, transporte, construction and international development. Its mission is to grow the cold chain industry and ensure that products remain safe and high quality from origin to consumer.
Q2: How many companies are part of the GCCA?
GCCA represents more than 1,500 companies across 92 países, providing global reach and diversity. Nearly half of these members operate outside North America.
Q3: Why should I work with a GCCA member instead of a non member?
GCCA members follow strict standards for storage, transportation and facility design, ensuring the highest quality and integrity. Partnering with a member also gives you access to a network of over 1,100 companies and 1,180 instalaciones.
Q4: What is the Cold Chain Index (CCI) and how can I use it?
The CCI tracks growth rates of major expense categories—labour, rent, electricidad, supplies and repairs. By comparing your costs against industry benchmarks, you can justify pricing, budget more accurately and identify efficiency opportunities. Members can customize the index based on regional data.
Q5: What are the biggest cold chain trends in 2025?
Key trends include a shift toward fresh and plant based foods, the rise of automation and sustainability initiatives, speculative construction in high growth regions, increased visibility through digital tools, and geopolitical influences that require resilient supply chains.
Resumen y recomendaciones
The Global Cold Chain Alliance plays a pivotal role in uniting the warehousing, transporte, construction and development sectors of the temperature controlled supply chain. Its mission to foster growth and ensure a robust, safe cold chain is supported by more than 1,500 members operating in 92 países. Working with GCCA members gives you access to a vast network, assured quality and professional development opportunities. The Cold Chain Index helps you benchmark costs and plan budgets. Staying competitive in 2025 means embracing automation and sustainability, modernizing facilities, optimizing last mile delivery, improving digital visibility, and building resilience against geopolitical and regulatory shifts. By aligning your business with GCCA standards and participating in the alliance’s network, you can navigate the evolving cold chain landscape with confidence.
Plan de acción
Evaluate your supply chain partners. Identify whether your current warehousing and transportation providers are GCCA members. Si no, explore membership opportunities to leverage the alliance’s standards and network.
Benchmark using the Cold Chain Index. Gather your cost data and compare it against CCI benchmarks. Use these insights to negotiate contracts and plan capital investments.
Upgrade your facilities. Prioritize investments in automation, energy efficiency and compliance with new refrigerant regulations. Consider partnering with other companies on multi customer warehouses to share costs.
Improve last mile logistics. Integrate route optimization software, collaborate with 3PL providers and invest in micro fulfillment centers to meet customer expectations.
Adopt digital visibility and sustainability reporting. Implement IoT sensors and cloud platforms for real time monitoring. Begin Scope 3 emissions reporting to anticipate regulatory changes and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
Acerca de Tempk
Tempk is a leading provider of cold chain solutions that help businesses preserve product quality and safety from origin to destination. We specialize in temperature controlled storage, transportation and facility design, offering customized solutions for food, pharmaceuticals and other sensitive goods. Our team combines decades of industry experience with cutting edge technology to deliver reliable, efficient and sustainable services. Whether you need a state of the art cold storage facility, real time temperature monitoring or consulting on regulatory compliance, we have you covered.
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