How the Indian cold chain logistics is embracing sustainability

With continued focus and investment in sustainable practices, the sector is poised to play a crucial role in India's sustainable development goals while meeting the growing demands of its population.

- Nehal Gautam

India's cold chain logistics sector is undergoing a significant transformation, grappling with the dual challenges of meeting growing demand and embracing sustainability. With a growing population and increasing urbanisation, the need for efficient and environmentally friendly cold chain solutions has never been more critical.

According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, India's cold chain logistics market is expected to reach $11.64 billion in 2024 and grow to $18.19 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 9.72% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing demand for perishable products, government initiatives, and rising organised retail and quick-service restaurants.

However, the sector faces significant challenges. Cold storage facilities are energy-intensive, contributing to high operational costs and substantial carbon footprints. Despite growth in the cold chain sector, India still experiences significant food waste, with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimating that about 40% of India's fresh produce is wasted annually due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure. The market is also highly fragmented, with numerous small-scale players, making it challenging to implement standardised sustainable practices.

Kartik Jalan, founder & CEO, Indicold Logistics, emphasised the complexities of operating within a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape and the need for specialised skills in the workforce. He stated, "Navigating various regulations and training staff with specialised expertise can be time-consuming, while justifying immediate costs to stakeholders is difficult." Another significant challenge in the cold chain sector is the impact of poorly designed packaging.