Temperature-controlled air cargo is a critical lifeline for many industries, especially pharmaceuticals and perishables, whose products demand precise environmental conditions to maintain quality and safety. As 2025 unfolds, the sector is experiencing robust growth driven by long-term demographic shifts, evolving supply chains, and rising customer expectations. Navigating geopolitical tensions, technological advances, and sustainability pressures, cool chain logistics providers are innovating rapidly to meet these complex demands.

Dynamics driving demand

The surge in temperature-sensitive airfreight volumes is rooted in deep structural changes that go beyond short-term fluctuations. “2025 has started strongly for DoKaSch Temperature Solutions,” says Gianmarco Steinhauer, Business Development Manager at DoKaSch. “We have observed a notable increase in Opticooler bookings and the volume of temperature-controlled air cargo, driven by a combination of long-term structural factors and short-term market dynamics.”

One of the most influential long-term factors is demographic change. “The global population is aging steadily. Between 1974 and 2024, the share of people aged 65 and over nearly doubled, increasing from 5.5 percent to 10.3 percent. According to projections by the United Nations, this figure will double again by 2074,” Steinhauer explains. This aging demographic requires more medical treatments, fueling demand for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical logistics that can guarantee timely and reliable delivery under strict conditions.

This demographic shift coincides with pharmaceutical companies expanding their reach into emerging markets to improve global health equity. “Pharmaceutical manufacturers are expanding into emerging markets. This expansion aligns with global health equity initiatives and is fueling the demand for reliable cold chain logistics in underserved regions,” Steinhauer says. “As a result, we are seeing structural changes in supply chains, and as DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, we will continue to grow our service network to accommodate these new lanes.”

Geopolitical instability and trade conflicts further accelerate shifts in logistics strategies. “In some instances, we have noticed shippers reverting back from sea freight to airfreight to avoid delays or potential tariffs. As a company focused on airfreight containers, this has additionally driven demand for Opticoolers,” Steinhauer notes.

High-demand pharmaceutical products such as Ozempic contribute to sustained shipment volumes, underscoring the ongoing growth in cold chain logistics. “These blockbuster treatments are generating steady and significant shipment volumes,” he adds.

Crucially, the confidence underpinning this growth extends throughout the supply chain. “In addition to DoKaSch, we see many airlines, freight forwarders, and pharmaceutical companies making large-scale investments in production, handling, and distribution infrastructure. These investments reflect a high level of confidence in the continued demand for temperature-sensitive products and logistics,” Steinhauer says.

Investing to meet complex needs

To keep pace with expanding volumes and complexity, cool chain providers are making significant investments in both physical infrastructure and digital capabilities.

“DoKaSch Temperature Solutions is undergoing a transformative phase,” Steinhauer shares. On the digital front, the company is preparing to launch a new services platform covering the entire container lifecycle — from booking to real-time shipment tracking and condition monitoring. “Our Opticooler units are being fitted with advanced sensors and communication technology to support this rollout. Soon, customers will receive live alerts, real-time status updates, and full integration with their own supply chain systems,” he explains.

Physical expansion is also underway. New service stations in strategic locations enhance network coverage and improve container accessibility. Meanwhile, a broadened one-way leasing model offers customers greater flexibility by removing the requirement to return containers to their point of origin.

Operational flexibility is a key competitive advantage. “Our upgraded service model allows us to deliver containers directly to customer-specified locations, even with short lead times,” Steinhauer says. “This speed and adaptability are proving extremely valuable in today’s fast-paced logistics environment and further make it easier for our partners as they do not need to pick up the Opticooler containers but have them delivered where and when they need them.”

Such convenience reduces friction and enables a smoother, faster supply chain response—critical when handling temperature-sensitive goods that often require rapid turnaround and exact timing.

Looking ahead, Steinhauer hints at even more advancements: “Additional upgrades are currently in development. While I cannot share all the details yet, the roadmap ahead is exciting.” This suggests a continuing evolution of tools and processes designed to meet ever more demanding logistics challenges.

End-to-end

Demand for comprehensive visibility across the entire supply chain is becoming non-negotiable, especially among pharmaceutical shippers who face stringent regulatory scrutiny and high stakes.

Steinhauer explains, “The demand for end-to-end visibility and control tower-style services is clearly increasing, especially among pharmaceutical shippers, who require the highest standards of reliability and transparency.”

He clarifies the concept of a control tower: “A fully functioning control tower should provide comprehensive visibility and control over the entire supply chain. This includes everything from production and storage to transportation and final delivery. These steps often involve multiple logistics partners and transport modes, which naturally go beyond the scope of a single packaging provider.”

Rather than building isolated solutions, DoKaSch positions itself as an enabler within a larger ecosystem: “We enable those best positioned to provide full supply chain oversight. 4PLs or LLPs typically manage broader supply chain operations and are ideally positioned to consolidate data streams into a cohesive control tower environment.”

By equipping their Opticooler containers with real-time data transmission, DoKaSch delivers detailed, actionable data on location, temperature, door openings, battery levels, and more. “This data can be integrated directly into our partners’ platforms and systems, allowing them to build accurate and dynamic visibility services that reflect the full picture,” Steinhauer says.

The goal is clear: “Our aim is to ensure that pharma shippers receive a unified, actionable view of their supply chain, rather than fragmented updates from various parties.”

Compliance with industry standards remains a fundamental pillar of trust. “At DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, we operate at the intersection of two highly regulated industries: aviation and pharmaceuticals. This dual responsibility demands that we uphold the highest standards of compliance and quality,” Steinhauer says. Their Opticoolers adhere strictly to IATA CEIV Pharma and GDP guidelines, backed by regular maintenance and multiple redundancies to secure product integrity.

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