TemperatureControlled Packaging Materials Market

Temperature-Controlled Packaging Materials Market Size

The global temperature-controlled packaging materials market size was estimated at USD 15.8 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 32.1 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2034.

• Temperature-controlled packaging materials market worldwide is going on a radical change due to the widening of applications in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, clinical trials and logistics of temperature sensitive foods. The more complex the product, the more the need for materials which will provide stability, sterility and temperature stability during transit.
  
• In 2024 passive packaging systems were the major shareholder of the market due to their simplicity and cost-effective features. Active systems, however, which provide temperature control and actual control of temperature using mechanical support, are catching up especially in high value cargo biopharma and long-range transport and have a projected CAGR of more than 20% by 2030.
  
• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) trading is the most common insulation material that has made its part to the whole insulation market as approximately to be over 45%. This is because this type of insulation material is affordable and effective. New breaking products such as Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) and better polymeric solutions are gaining popularity due to excellent thermal behavior and compatibility with compact sizes.
  
• Phase Change Materials (PCMs), the PCM segment mostly taken up by organic PCMs, stood at about 44% of the PCM segment in 2024. These are being combined more with reusable packaging forms that provide prolonged thermal control over longer periods of time and complex supply systems.
  
• The use of smart sensors and data loggers is also increasing that facilitate real-time tracking, regulatory compliance and reporting of excursions. Also, there is now a sustainability requirement and long-term economic driving point that now provides reusable packaging formats that comprise close to 70% of temperature-controlled systems in pharmaceutical logistics.
  
• Innovations in packaging materials, hybrid designs and automatization of platforms to facilitate temperature-controlled packaging systems are still redefining their performance, and functionality, in industries.
  

Temperature-Controlled Packaging Materials Market Trends

• Rising demand for safe transportation of biologics: The rising demand for safe transportation of biologics, vaccines and specialty foods are one of the main factors that are driving towards the temperature-controlled packaging where big companies are trying to maintain efficacy of their products and minimize spoilage.
  
• Superior insulation and phase change technology: The packages in temperature-controlled packaging systems have superior insulation and phase change technology, and thus they are very necessary replacements to the traditional packaging in pharma, biotech, and perishables industries.
  
• Research and development: Business enterprises are spending money on research and development to invent more intelligent materials as well as packable packaging patterns that can be recycled and offer thermal performance in conjunction with sustainability and governing conformity.
  
• Advanced functionality: IoT-based containers, reusable thermal boxes, and vacuum-insulated panels with advanced functionality are new systems that increase the precision of temperatures, visibility of shipments and eliminate wasteful single-use packaging.
  

Temperature-Controlled Packaging Materials Market Analysis

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Based on material type, the market is segmented into insulation materials, phase change materials (PCMs), refrigerants and cooling agents, & smart sensors and monitoring devices. The phase change materials (PCMs) segment holds a significant share at a valuation of USD 3.6 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period.

• The growing demand for effective thermal treatments in the biopharma and food logistics markets is stimulating the demand of high-quality and effective insulating materials capable of providing superior thermal stability and structural elasticity over the transport time.
  
• Phase Change Materials (PCMs), mostly gel- and water-based PCMs are becoming notable because of their high level of accuracy in maintaining the necessary temperatures and their own reusability in passive applications.
  
• Dry ice and eutectic solutions are still used as refrigerants and cooling agents in ultra-low-temperature transport, but are problematic to handle, safety, and emissions.
  
• The use of smart sensors and monitoring devices is on the rise as the real-time tracking of data becomes key to compliance, risk minimization as well as integrity of shipment in international supply chains.
  

Based on product type, the temperature-controlled packaging materials market is segmented into insulated shippers and containers, custom and specialty solutions, refrigerated and frozen packaging and smart packaging solutions. The insulated shippers and containers section was valued at USD 9.7 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to expand to a CAGR of 7% during 2025 to 2034.

• This market is blooming with the strength of its use in pharmaceuticals, biologics, and perishable food logistics with changing cold chain requirements and the advancing biologic market.
  
• Under this segment, in small parcel, pallet, and bulk shippers, various logistical dimensions are being served, and there is an increasing desire to obtain custom and special-purpose formats to match clinical trials and cellular therapies. Cartons, crates, insulated bags or pouches and boxes remain in use even though they cater to pharma and food-grade packaging, especially in the last-mile and regional supply markets.
  
• Refrigerated and frozen packaging is growing fast in high-sensitivity products consisting of mRNA vaccines and gene therapies. In cost-sensitive markets passive solutions continue to dominate the marketplace whereas active systems are increasingly used in higher value products that require precise control in highly regulated markets.
  
• Smart packaging solutions include inbuilt temperature monitors and Global Positioning System (GPS), which is gaining popularity in terms of real-time traceability and tracking. Globally, there is a demand to focus on the effectiveness and sustainability of products, as well as optimized cost structures across categories that influence preferences in procurements.

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Based on application, the market is segmented into pharmaceuticals and life sciences, food and beverage, chemicals and industrial goods and other applications. The pharmaceuticals & life sciences segment held 46.7% market share in 2024 and is anticipated to expand at a 7.9% CAGR through 2034.

•  The pharmaceuticals & biotech companies are the persistent leading end users with more than 60% of market demand in 2024. Biologics, mRNA-based vaccines and personalized therapies have risen rapidly, and this has increased the demand of temperature-validated, sterile logistics system. These stakeholders continue to bank on single-use shippers, phase-change materials and containers that can enable a supply chain that fully uses the Internet of Things to ensure that products remain safe during long-distance transportation systems.
  
• High-performance solutions are important to clinical trial logistics such as blood transportation, biologic samples transportation and transportation of specialty formulations. Research institutions, hospital networks and CDMOs are also turning to validated reusable systems and smart packaging to stay compliant and keep products intact.
  
• In 2024 as well, the Food & Beverage segment saw substantial growth due to the increase in the penetration of e-commerce and online groceries. Pre-qualified insulated shipping containers with gel packs and dry ice to maintain the integrity of the last-mile cold-chain are being utilized by meal-kit companies, frozen food providers and dairy exporters.

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The U.S. temperature-controlled packaging materials market was valued at USD 4.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 9.2 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.7%.

• The U.S. pharmaceutical and biotechnology market still shows a strong momentum and temperature sensitive biologics represent a considerable portion of the commercial pipelines currently. Such a trend is driving use of phase change materials (PCMs), sophisticated insulation panels (such as VIPs), as well as intelligent thermology loggers both vial and injectable biologic forms. Packaging has also been put under pressure with the emergence of direct to patient clinical supply chain mechanisms as we need to meet narrow temperature ranges without variations especially in the case of autologous and allogeneic therapies.
  
• Food industry adds up prominent market share and frozen and chilled food categories e.g. seafood, dairy, vegetable-based proteins, and meals kits demand high levels of thermal protection.
  
• Goods available on e-commerce along with grocery and meal subscriptions are contributing to the need for custom-engineered thermoses or layered-insulation and embedded gel-pack solutions or dry ice. The development of these systems is optimized to balance the performance with the curbside recyclability and the major players are driving the development of low-emission cold-chain packaging in bio-based PCM gels and molded fiber insulators.
  
• Smart temperature monitoring, which is in transition, is growing live analytics, deviation alerts and audit-ready traceability are being implemented on shipping containers with sensors, RFID-enabled tags and real-time temperature loggers. This is particularly applicable in GDP-certified drugs shipment where the ability to view the risk of thermal excursion arrived at is not only a value-added attribute but one that is subject to requirements.
  

India is ranked among the rapidly expanding markets on temperature-controlled packaging materials (TCPM). This expansion is fueled by the increased export of all types of pharmaceuticals, the further penetration of special biologics, and the blistering development of the organization of food trade and cold chains in logistics.

• With over 50% market share worldwide, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is fast engaging pre-qualified insulated carriers, gel ice packs and phase change material to ensure temperature control within countries and across the borders.
  
• Simultaneously, the Indian food and grocery segment especially frozen, dairy, and ready-to cook foods are aiding in volume demand of insulated containers, refrigerated pouches, and modular passive systems.
  
• Expansion of e-commerce grocery in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is rapidly increasing the requirement of thermal packaging solutions during the last mile that ensure the balance of durability, cost, and environmental concerns. Indian manufacturers are countering these with VIP panels (indigenously developed), bio-based insulation materials and multi-use shippers.
  

In Vietnam, the emerging temperature-controlled packaging materials market is likely to be a pivotal point in the future of this industry encouraged by the growth of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and the rapidly growing cold-chain food export levels in the country and its subsequent integration into international clinical trial and vaccine supply chain networks.

• Economic pressure driven by the movement of supply chains out of China and increasing national capacity to manufacture pharmaceuticals have increased the demand of validated cold-chain packaging machinery with the capacity to withhold stringent thermal tolerances over tropical supply routes.
  
• The contract packaging units and local companies are also engaging EPS based insulated containers, PCM-based shippers, and dry ice-compatible solutions to meet clinical research, vaccine transport, and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) logistics throughout ASEAN corridors.
  
• Since seafood comprises more than 15 % of food export basket of Vietnam and frozen categories have gone through modernization of retail, the demand in use of multi-use insulated containers, gel packs, and refrigerated liners has taken a sharp turn upward. The cold chain service operators are also joining efforts with packaging companies to ensure thermal insulation and humidity lineage on long-distance cargoes, particularly, aimed at keeping shrimp, pangasius, and ready-to-cook meal categories.
  
• The packaging preferences are changing due to the issues of sustainability. To be consistent with the national green logistics roadmap, Vietnamese converters and MNCs are launching recyclable shipper liners, molded fiber and low carbon refrigerants among others.
  
• Cold chain shipping trials of bio-based PCM gels and compostable outer cartons are also in progress and have been triggered by food exporters because they wish to satisfy EU requirements on imports.
  

Indonesia rapidly builds its position in the temperature-controlled packaging materials market, driving market growth through an increase of the pharmaceutical logistics, seafood exports, e-commerce grocery service, and the innovation of the local regulatory framework. The TCPM market in Indonesia has an anticipated compound annual growth rate of over 10.5 % until 2034, and in 2024.

• The pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia, especially the vaccine manufacture, biologics fill-finish facilities and clinical supply services, is ramping the use of pre-qualified shipper, PCM-integrated containers, and dry ice compatible insulated packages. Validated cold-chain packaging will be driven by push of validated cold-chain packaging on government-backed immunization programs and supply chain structures supported by WHO in both urban and remote inter-island deliveries.
  
• The country is among the largest exporters of seafood worldwide and cold chain packaging of frozen shrimp, tuna, and processed fish remain a force in volumes. There is an increased demand for gel-pack compartments, thermal barrier packaging and modular shipping boxes that can survive high temperature, humid transport conditions including shipping conditions in the oceans, as well as quality and shelf-life protection.
  
• The ability to deliver dairy, frozen meals and ready-to-eat products due to e-commerce activity is innovating last-mile passive cooling formats particularly in Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar. The scaled up EPR-facilitated environmental footprints include the EPS substitutes and recyclable products for insulating products by local packaging companies.
  

Brazil is the most relevant market in Latin America by volume of temperature-controlled packaging materials, owing to a unique combination of massive biopharma production, huge agro-export levels, and a rapidly digitalizing cold-chain infrastructure. It has a TCPM market that is growing steadily at a CAGR of about 9.3% with high growth rate in the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical sectors.

• The biopharmaceutical logistics supply chain infrastructure in Brazil, particularly the region around the cities of Sao Paulo and Campinas, is also undergoing an intensive surge in demand to supply exceptional thermal packaging technologies such as vacuum insulated panels (VIPs), smart pallet containers, and deep-frozen passive vaccine and clinical trial supplies, as COVID brought about the current-era innovations in modern advancement of the packaging supply lines. The RDC 430/2020 released by ANVISA and enforced locally is driving high-compliance requirements into cold chain packaging.
  
• Economic growth of exports based on beef, chicken and frozen fruit has expanded the use of multi-layer insulated containers, dry ice adaptable liners, and reusable shipper boxes that match long range maritime carriage, to North America, Western Europe and Asia. These are specifically designed with tropical climate of Brazil and with low carbon footprint.
  
• New players in logistics are adding smart monitoring devices based on IoT, QR-based tracking, and humidity sensors to insulated shippers to boost compliance tracking in pharma and perishables shipping. Massive partnerships are in the process of coming up with 3PL cold chain providers and packaging material converters to provide integrated and end-to-end thermal assurance services.
  

Temperature-Controlled Packaging Materials Market Share

The top 5 companies in the market are Cold Chain Technologies, Envirotainer, Pelican BioThermal, Sofrigam, and Sonoco Products Company contributing around 40% of the total shares globally in 2024. A combination of both reusable and single-use solutions, regulatory-compliant solutions and global supply chain support specific to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors have helped these companies build a strong position.

• Increased competition is driven by increased expectations of performance, more vigorous regulations by GDP and FDA and the drive towards incredibly reliable cold chain packaging in North America, Europe, and Asia.
  
• The demand for sustainable solutions and economic pressure to cut down costs are forcing businesses to create recyclable, reusable, and energy-efficient packaging systems. Go-to-market considerations, such as strategic partnerships, M&A activity, and collaborations with logistics providers and technologies companies, are becoming increasingly relevant.
  
• Different organizations are also partnering with universities and research centers to hasten up innovation involving smart packaging technologies, sensor-integrated solutions and solutions meant to service both mature and emerging economies. Innovation continues to be one of the main differentiators, especially of passive packaging involving improved PCMs, real-time tracking, and carbon footprint reduction.
  
• These companies are developing new services and expanding their location as the market phases new rivals and increases the competition as they are required to satisfy the regulatory requirement as companies develop sustainability in their operations.
  

Temperature-Controlled Packaging Materials Market Companies:

The top temperature-controlled packaging materials companies are:

• Sonoco ThermoSafe: Sonoco ThermoSafe is the leading provider of high-performance passive thermal protection skilled at making biopharma and clinical trial shipments. Its attention to sustainability, reusable systems and global qualification protocols makes it a leader in regulated healthcare logistics in the growing markets.
  
• Pelican BioThermal: Pelican is a manufacturer of durable, reusable temperature-controlled products specializing in parcel and bulk shippers in the cold and ultra-cold chain. Its wide spanning international network and its compatibility with key vaccine and biologics program makes it become more visible and adopted in health care sectors.
  
• Cold Chain Technologies: CCT is renowned for being the modular, pre-qualified solutions provider that offers custom designed packages and real-time monitoring capabilities to the ever-changing needs of drug manufacturers, freight companies and clinical trial sponsors.
  
• Va-Q-Tec AG: Va-Q-Tec utilizes proprietary vacuum insulation and PCM to provide optimal heat solution to the transportation of products on controlled temperature containers and shipping containers. Its products are found extensively within the pharmaceutical cold chain but now are finding wider use in diagnostics and biosample logistics.
  
• Sofrigam SA Ltd.: Sofrigam provides high-value pharmaceutical transport passive cooling boxes and insulated systems, which meet the international GDP standard. Its flexibility as a design and its ability to comply enable it to be a supplier of choice when it comes to designing the right cold chain package.
  

Temperature-Controlled Packaging Materials Market News

• In June 2025, Cryopak launched the NexBlu Cube 10, which is a universal temperature-controlled shipper designed in two versions, standard EPS and sustainable GPS, capable of supplying 96 hours of thermal protection, optimized for JUNE 2025 ISTA 7D/7E qualification.
  
• In April 2025, Sonoco sold its Thermoformed & Flexibles Packaging (TFP) to Toppan Holdings Inc. which was worth about USD 1.8 billion including circa 4,500 employees transferred to the firm as part of the transaction.
  
• In March 2025, Cold Chain Technologies (CCT) has taken Global Cold Chain Solutions (GCCS) under its flock which would make it stronger in Passive Cold Chain and allow it to further expand its manufacturing facilities in Australia/India to better capture the Asia-Pacific life sciences market.
  
• In December 2024, Peli BioThrema said it is to be present at LogiPharma US 2025 in Boston to showcase its recent temperature-controlled packaging technologies such as its reusable systems and Internet of Things-driven solutions.
  

The temperature-controlled packaging materials market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) & volume (Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Material type

• Insulation materials
• Phase change materials (PCMs)
• Refrigerants and cooling agents
• Smart sensors and monitoring devices

Market, By Product type

• Insulated shippers and containers
• Custom and specialty solutions
• Refrigerated and frozen packaging

Market, By Application

• Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
• Food and beverage
• Chemicals and industrial goods
• Other applications

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America 
• Middle East and Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East and Africa