By Colin Rowland, MD of Hydropac, a leader in cold chain packaging solutions committed to sustainability and innovation
As we move into 2025, the food and drink industry faces a transformative period, driven by consumer demand for fresher, safer, and more sustainable products. For manufacturers and retailers, decisions surrounding the cold chain are more important than ever, as they directly impact product quality, brand reputation, and operational efficiency.
The trends shaping 2025 will challenge the status quo and force businesses to rethink how they design, manage, and optimise their cold chain processes. Here are some key predictions for the year ahead and their implications for decision-makers in the food and drink industry.
1. Authentic sustainability will lead the way
Sustainability is no longer just a consumer expectation – it’s a commercial imperative. Regulators, retailers, and customers are holding manufacturers accountable for their environmental impact, and the cold chain is a critical area for improvement.
The shift to recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable cold chain packaging will continue to accelerate, as will sustainable innovation in packaging and ice packs. Manufacturers who adopt sustainable packaging will not only reduce their environmental footprint but also align with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly solutions. Beware of greenwashing, however – the practice of making misleading environmental claims – as brands strive to align with consumer values.
Brands mustn’t just talk the talk; they need to walk the walk and offer truly and authentically sustainable cold chain packaging solutions.
Consider ice packs, a staple in food and drink cold chains. While many are marketed as “reusable” or “sustainable,” the reality often doesn’t match the claims. Gel-based packs, commonly used in cold chain packaging, often contain polymer derivatives that are unsuitable for safe disposal or secondary uses like watering plants – despite this misleading messaging often featuring prominently on many gel ice packs. These inaccurate claims can damage both the environment and a brand’s reputation.
In contrast, water-based ice packs offer a genuinely sustainable alternative. Made with a natural, drain-safe substance and often featuring recyclable or refillable designs, they support a circular economy while reducing environmental impact, making them a smarter choice for food retailers and eco-conscious consumers.
Gel ice packs also require 39% more Co2e to produce compared to water ice packs. So, for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint in 2025, choosing water ice packs over their gel equivalent could save approximately 5.7 tonnes of Co2 (per million ice packs).
As sustainability pressures mount, investing in eco-conscious cold chain solutions will become a competitive advantage rather than an optional upgrade.
- Cold chain resilience will be non-negotiable
As consumer demand shifts toward premium, plant-based, and health-conscious food products, maintaining precise temperature control throughout the entire cold chain will become an absolute necessity. The need to maintain product quality – whether it’s for fresh produce, perishable meals, or specialty items – will only grow in importance. A single lapse in temperature control during transit can lead to spoilage, recalls, or even brand damage, especially as food safety and transparency are increasingly scrutinised by consumers.
As the diversity of food products grows, manufacturers must recognise that not all products have the same temperature and storage needs. Flexible, customisable packaging and shipping solutions will be essential for meeting specific requirements for each product. From ultra-cold storage for specialty foods to ambient conditions for others, businesses will need versatile packaging to meet this demand.
Investing in cutting-edge cold chain technologies will not only preserve product integrity but also provide manufacturers with a competitive edge.
3. The rise of e-commerce will drive logistics innovation
With the continued acceleration of e-commerce in food and beverage sectors, new logistical challenges are emerging. The demand for online orders, whether it’s for meal kits, specialty beverages, or organic produce, presents a unique challenge: products need to stay fresh and safe during longer delivery times and across greater distances.
To address this growth in e-commerce, manufacturers and retailers will need to focus on designing more efficient and compact packaging solutions that not only reduce material waste but also optimise thermal performance. This involves the use of insulated materials and advanced packaging solutions that maintain temperature control for extended periods, reducing costs while ensuring products stay fresh. This is crucial for maintaining the quality of temperature-sensitive goods, particularly for home delivery of meal kits and fresh groceries.
4. Consumer education and transparency will grow in importance
Today’s consumers are increasingly invested in understanding where their food comes from and how it’s handled throughout its journey from farm to fork. As the demand for sustainability and ethical practices grows, so does the call for transparency in how food is stored, shipped, and preserved.
Technologies to enhance cold chain processes, such as real-time tracking or temperature-controlled packaging will be utilised more. It’s this transparency in technological investment that will help build consumer trust and highlight a brand’s commitment to product integrity.
Consumers will increasingly seek reassurance that their food has been stored and delivered in optimal conditions, and brands that provide this information upfront will differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace.
5. Stricter regulatory oversight will drive change
With global food safety and sustainability regulations tightening, compliance will become a higher priority for manufacturers and retailers in 2025. From traceability to temperature control, businesses may need to make significant improvements in their cold chain operations to stay compliant and avoid penalties.
Digital tools will play a key role in helping companies stay compliant by providing real-time data on temperature, humidity, and other cold chain metrics. Automated reporting will streamline the process, reducing human error and ensuring that all compliance standards are met in real time.
What does this mean for food and drink decision-makers?
2025 promises to be a defining year for the food and drink industry. Cold chain decisions will no longer be a back-end consideration – they will be central to how manufacturers and retailers protect product quality, reduce costs, and meet evolving consumer and regulatory expectations. Investing in advanced cold chain technologies and sustainable practices now will pay dividends for the rest of the decade. By aligning operations with these trends, businesses can not only weather the challenges of 2025 but also position themselves as leaders in a fast-evolving market.
