Pharmaceutical cold chain logistics in Europe has become mission-critical, not just for vaccines and biologics, but for a broader shift toward personalized and temperature-sensitive therapies. The market is expected to grow from USD 16.9 billion in 2023 to USD 24.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.5%. Tightening EU GDP (Good Distribution Practice) regulations and increasing reliance on cell, gene, and mRNA-based therapies are driving this evolution. Over 70% of pharma products now require some degree of cold chain handling, particularly within the 2°C to 8°C range.
The shift toward real-time monitoring and sensor-based visibility is also reshaping cold chain management. Experts report that temperature excursion-related losses have dropped by 30–35% in organizations that adopted digital cold chain tech. Air freight dominates long-haul supply chains, while GDP-compliant road freight is rapidly scaling across Western and Central Europe. Outsourcing is on the rise too—over 60% of pharma cold chain operations in Western Europe are now managed by third-party logistics (3PL) providers, enabling scale and compliance at lower costs.
Download the full transcript for country-level investment trends, tech integration benchmarks, and expert views on the future of pharma logistics in Europe.