According to Kartik Jalan, Founder and CEO, Indicold is redefining cold storage in India through automation, sustainable practices, and a focus on digital transformation. The company spearheads India’s first frozen ASRS High Bay Warehouse launched in 2024.
How do you view the future growth of India’s cold storage and warehousing market?
India’s cold storage and warehousing sectors are witnessing strong, sustained growth, fuelled by rising demand from e-commerce, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. According to government estimates, the cold warehousing market was valued at around INR 2,00,000 crores in 2024 and is projected to reach INR 5,00,000 Crores by 2030, growing at a CAGR of over 16 percent. With growing automation, government support, and deeper reach into Tier 2 and 3 cities, India is in a new phase of growth and prosperity.
How is Indicold balancing expansion with its commitment to sustainability, and setting new benchmarks in the cold supply chain industry?
Indicold is building a future-ready, sustainable cold supply chain, setting new benchmarks in the industry. A significant achievement has been the successful commissioning in 2024 of India’s first frozen Automatic Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) High Bay Warehouse in Gujarat, designed to handle over 7,000 pallets. This state-of-the-art facility reflects Indicold’s commitment to automation, efficiency, and sustainability, ensuring faster, safer cold storage solutions. As the only Indian company to be part of the Move to -15 coalition, Indicold ensures the safe and sustainable storage of products, preserving their quality and integrity throughout the cold chain. The company is also launching its second fully automated facility with a 10,000-pallet capacity this month. With 3x year-over-year growth, Indicold continues to lead through innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.
What are your suggestions for environmentally friendly cold storage facilities?
Indicold is committed to building environmentally friendly cold storage facilities with a sustainability focus. The company incorporates energy-efficient refrigeration systems, reducing environmental impact. Solar panels are integrated to cut energy costs, while LED lighting and motion sensors minimize electricity consumption. High insulation standards and IoT technology ensure optimal temperature control and energy efficiency. In addition, Indicold prioritizes sustainable building materials and incorporates water and waste management systems. By adopting these practices, Indicold continues to create eco-friendly, energy-efficient cold storage solutions.
How do you manage cold chain infrastructure to meet the rising demands of quick commerce and online deliveries?
Online shopping and quick commerce are significantly boosting demand for cold storage and warehousing in 2025, especially with the surge in e-grocery, quick commerce, and online pharma deliveries. Consumers now expect faster, fresher, and safer deliveries, pushing retailers to invest in temperature-controlled logistics. Urban micro-fulfilment centers, dark stores, and last-mile cold chain solutions are becoming essential. As per industry estimates, cold storage needs in e-commerce are growing at over 20 percent CAGR. This trend is driving automation, better inventory management, and real-time tracking across warehousing operations, making cold chain infrastructure a crucial backbone for meeting evolving consumer expectations in the digital retail era.
How have air curtains and automated doors contributed to energy savings?
In real cold storage operations, air curtains and automated doors play a big role in saving energy. Air curtains help keep cold air in and hot air out when doors open, which is especially useful during frequent loading and unloading. Automated doors open and close quickly, reducing the time the cold room is exposed to outside air. This means the refrigeration system does not have to work as hard to maintain temperature and reduce energy use. Over time, these simple solutions make a noticeable difference in electricity bills and help keep products at the right temperature.
How do IoT and digital monitoring improve cold storage efficiency and product safety?
IoT, digital monitoring, and sensors help keep things running smoothly in day-to-day cold storage operations. Sensors constantly track temperature, humidity, and door openings, sending real-time data to a central dashboard. This assists teams’ problems on the spot, like a sudden temperature rise, before they lead to spoilage. IoT systems send alerts if something goes wrong; hence, the action can be taken quickly. Over time, this data helps plan maintenance and improve efficiency. Instead of relying on manual checks, everything is automated and visible. It is a practical way to save energy, reduce losses, and ensure products stay safe throughout the cold chain.
What are the advancements in automated material handling solutions for commodities in the supply chain?
The era of automated storage infrastructure is here. We at Indicold are just in the process of starting our second automated facility in the country. This facility has automation, the first of its kind across dry and cold. A live implementation does not exist in the country as of this date. Indicold’s first one was also the country’s first frozen ASRS rack clad that completed 8 months of operation. I feel that this revolution will fundamentally change the way ASRS is visible in India. Seeing us, two companies have already given orders to put up ASRS. One is coming up in Coimbatore for an Ice Cream major. A Frozen French Fries manufacturer is putting the other in Gujarat. We are happy to have inspired them to take the plunge into automation.
Should cold storage operators get more policy support for the cold chain sector?
The government is giving a lot of impetus to this space. There is a lot of inherent excitement in cold chains globally, especially in India. The impetus by the government is often given towards cold storage infrastructure developers but not to cold storage operators. Cold storage operators’ risks and bets define the sector and provide impetus. India has a lot of cold chain infrastructure, which is either inadequately designed or invisible. The government should look at helping cold storage operators by giving them stamp duty exemptions on long-term leases, electricity duty exemptions and grants for innovation to improve efficiency and bring new technology into the industry or country.
Are there any plans for expansion in the future?
We are focusing on creating world-class cold storage infrastructure in India. We want to be the enabler for the next food revolution. We feel the food supply chain is undergoing a massive shift within the country, and more and more products will be processed or frozen, requiring impeccable supply chains. We strongly believe in the Indian growth story and that the market is so large and rapidly growing that it has a huge opportunity for scale. We are just closing the construction of 12 lakh pallets by the end of April 2025 for the next three years.
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