In a context where quality, food safety and speed have become essential, refrigerated transport plays a strategic role for many sectors in Geneva and the canton of Vaud. With over 13,600 companies, 250,000 employees and a turnover of CHF 44.7 billion, Switzerland is the second-largest exporter of pharmaceutical products. From agri-food to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and biotechnology, maintaining the cold chain is now an essential logistical requirement.
Why refrigerated transport is crucial in French-speaking Switzerland
Geneva and Vaud are major economic hubs in French-speaking Switzerland.In 2025, of the 2,948 million invested in Switzerland, over 579 million Swiss francs were invested in start-ups in the canton of Vaud. With a high concentration of companies active in the food, medical and technology sectors, the demand for temperature-controlled transport continues to grow.
Refrigerated transport ensures the integrity of sensitive products by maintaining controlled temperatures throughout the supply chain. This applies in particular to:
- Fresh and frozen food products
- Medicines and pharmaceutical products
- Cosmetics and sensitive chemical products
- High-end products requiring specific conditions
Maintaining the cold chain, from collection to final delivery, is essential to prevent any deterioration or loss of quality.
The cold chain in Switzerland: a rapidly growing sector
The cold chain market in Switzerland is experiencing sustained growth, driven by key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and agri-food. Some industry players estimate that the cold chain market, valued at 3.8 billion Swiss francs in 2025, is set to reach 17.78 billion Swiss francs by 2034, confirming the strategic role of temperature-controlled transport and storage. The pharmaceutical industry, a pillar of the Swiss economy, accounts for over 35% of demand on its own, with strict requirements regarding temperature (particularly between 2°C and 8°C) and traceability.
At the same time, the food sector is making a significant contribution to this growth, driven in particular by stricter health regulations and growing demand for local, fresh, high-quality products. In French-speaking Switzerland, and particularly in the canton of Vaud, this trend is reflected in an increased need for high-performance refrigerated logistics solutions.
Despite this growth, the sector faces a number of challenges, including high operating costs – particularly energy costs – as well as significant regulatory complexity. However, the market is characterised by a high level of compliance and innovation.
In this context, advanced technological solutions and sustainable approaches, such as real-time tracking or low-emission fleets, are becoming essential drivers for ensuring performance, reliability and competitiveness.
The specific challenges of refrigerated transport in Geneva
Urban logistical constraints are particularly severe in large cities and have a direct impact on transport operations, particularly refrigerated transport.
In these dense environments, two main challenges stand out:
- A constrained urban environment, which complicates the management of deliveries in city centres and requires meticulous organisation of traffic flows.
- Strict delivery regulations, with restrictions on timings, access for heavy goods vehicles in urban areas and the expansion of low-emission zones.
In the case of refrigerated transport, these constraints are even more significant, as they are compounded by the requirement to maintain a controlled temperature throughout the journey, without breaking the cold chain.
In the case of the canton of Geneva, additional specific factors compound these challenges:
- Customs requirements, due to the immediate proximity to France
- Significant cross-border activity, generating substantial and continuous international flows
In this particularly demanding environment, businesses must rely on flexible and responsive solutions capable of ensuring rapid delivery whilst complying with strict standards, particularly regarding the cold chain. Thanks to experience accumulated over the years since 1988, STAR Logistique now possesses specialist expertise that precisely meets these needs.
The Canton of Vaud: a strategic logistics hub
The Canton of Vaud, driven by key areas such as Lausanne, Yverdon and the Riviera, stands out for its strategic location for regional and national distribution, underpinned by a dynamic economy and efficient infrastructure.
Several strengths reinforce its importance in cold chain logistics:
- Proximity to major motorway routes
- Quick access to urban centres in French-speaking Switzerland
- Development of modern logistics hubs
In Switzerland, many companies are developing ‘last-mile’ distribution solutions, a rapidly growing segment driven by the boom in e-commerce, which also constitutes a critical stage in securing final delivery and guaranteeing the integrity of the cold chain. This trend is particularly evident in urban and economic regions, such as the canton of Vaud.
Technologies supporting the cold chain
The refrigerated transport sector is evolving rapidly thanks to itechnological innovations:
- Connected sensors for real-time monitoring
- Advanced traceability systems
- Refrigerated cross-docking to speed up flows
- Temperature-controlled storage solutions
These technologies ensure constant temperature stability, even during loading, storage or delivery operations.
STAR Logistique offers two temperature-controlled ranges, chilled (+2°C to +5°C) and frozen (-20°C), to meet the requirements of sensitive goods, whilst guaranteeing product integrity at every stage of the supply chain.
Logistical challenges to be overcome
Despite these advances, several challenges remain:
- Strict maintenance of the cold chain without interruption
- Optimisation of transport costs
- Reduction of the carbon footprint
- Management of ever-shorter lead times
Even the slightest temperature deviation can lead to significant losses, particularly in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. STAR Logistics is able to meet these challenges on an ongoing basis, to the full satisfaction of its customers.
Towards more sustainable cold chain logistics
In Switzerland, the transition towards more sustainable logistics is already underway. Companies are investing in:
- Less polluting vehicles
- Route optimisation solutions
- Reusable and insulated packaging
- Energy-efficient infrastructure
The objective is clear: to balance logistics performance with respect for the environment.
Conclusion: STAR Logistique, your trusted partner for refrigerated transport
Refrigerated transport in Geneva and the canton of Vaud is a cornerstone of the regional economy. Faced with growing demands for quality, speed and compliance, companies must rely on reliable, innovative and fully managed logistics solutions.
In this context, choosing a partner specialising in the cold chain such as STAR Logistique is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity.
Contact STAR Logistique today for a bespoke quote and discover how we can optimise your temperature-controlled logistics.
Refrigerated transport in Geneva and the canton of Vaud: challenges, solutions and best practices