Running on Ice: Walk-in cold storage market grows its footprint

Polar Leasing, a provider of rental walk-in refrigeration solutions, has released a report on one of the cold chain’s fastest-growing segments: mobile and rental walk-in cold storage. The report, “Emerging Trends Shaping the Walk-In Cold Storage Mobile/Rental Sector,” offers insight into how temporary refrigeration is gaining traction across sectors from food service to emergency response.

According to the report, the mobile/rental cold storage market now accounts for approximately 15% of the total walk-in cooler and freezer market by value — a figure projected to exceed $5 billion by 2034.

Key growth drivers identified in the report include:

• Evolving food and beverage demands: A boom in ready-to-eat meals, fresh food delivery and seasonal surges is prompting food service providers to seek flexible, short-term cold storage options.
• Stricter food safety regulations: Compliance pressures are increasing demand for reliable, hygienic, easily deployable refrigeration solutions.
• Life sciences and pharma expansion: The growth of biologics, compounded medications and specialty supplements is spurring demand for temporary, temperature-controlled environments.
• Disaster preparedness and events: Emergency response teams and large-scale event organizers rely on mobile cold storage to maintain perishables and critical supplies.

The report points to a broader industry shift: Temporary, mobile cold storage solutions are becoming essential infrastructure, not just stopgaps. As demand fluctuates and new regulatory or operational pressures emerge, supply chain professionals are increasingly turning to flexible refrigeration strategies that can be deployed quickly, scaled as needed, and integrated into both routine and emergency operations.

“This report was designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for decision-makers across industries, including foodservice, life sciences, event management, and emergency response,” said Jimmy Kollmer, national cold chain manager at Polar Leasing Co, in a news release. “Our goal is to provide expert guidance to help businesses match their specific short-term refrigeration needs with the most effective and reliable cold storage solutions.”

Find the full report here.

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