ColdChain Poland – the foundation of safety and quality in the food and HoReCa sectors

4 March 2026

Efficient logistics in the food and HoReCa industries plays a crucial role as it defines food safety, product quality, and ultimately customer trust. For this reason, the ColdChain Poland Trade Fair, taking place 14–16 April this year at EXPO XXI in Warsaw, complements the offer and programme of the International Food and Beverage Trade Fair WorldFood Poland and SMAKKi Gastro Fair, which are held simultaneously. Together, these events create a comprehensive platform for sectors where food is the common denominator.

The cold supply chain, meaning the logistics of temperature-sensitive products such as dairy, fresh fruits, frozen foods, and meat products, requires carefully selected packaging, protection methods, storage facilities, and transport solutions that perform reliably under specific temperature conditions and ensure the safety of the entire process.

For companies operating in the food and HoReCa sectors, maintaining a reliable cold chain is essential to meet growing market demands and changing climate conditions. Temperature stability, supply chain transparency, and energy efficiency are becoming key competitive advantages. 

As Agnieszka Szpaderska, Director of Business Development and Strategic Projects, emphasizes, presenting an offer at the ColdChain Poland Trade Fair provides companies with the opportunity to establish contacts with representatives of retail and wholesale chains, restaurateurs, and chefs who regularly visit WorldFood Poland and SMAKKi Gastro Fair. The event also enables companies to reach exhibitors who rely on cold chain solutions in their daily operations. The April exhibition offers a natural environment for discussions about the most effective ways to secure and transport products. 

“Our idea is to present, in one place and at one time, both Polish and international food offerings targeted at different market segments, complemented by solutions ensuring safe logistics processes. This responds to the needs of professionals in the food and HoReCa industries, ensuring that their visit to the trade fair provides comprehensive knowledge and tools to improve operational processes,” explains Agnieszka Szpaderska.

An important part of the April event will also be the NutraFood Poland Trade Fair, dedicated to functional food, dietary supplements, healthy nutrition, natural raw materials and ingredients, and technologies, where packaging and transport processes also play a significant role.

 

Every stage determines freshness – responsibility within the cold chain 

The cold chain is the backbone of food safety and works effectively only when every stage – from production to delivery to the consumer – maintains the correct temperature parameters. Products in the food and HoReCa industries are particularly demanding, often consisting of fresh, perishable goods that are highly sensitive to even slight temperature fluctuations. 

At ColdChain Poland, visitors will have the opportunity to explore solutions and speak with experts and suppliers offering technologies that ensure controlled temperature conditions during production and processing, storage, refrigerated transport, distribution and transshipment, as well as reception and storage at the final point such as shops, restaurants, or catering facilities.

To ensure the entire process functions correctly, appropriate thermal packaging and protection systems are required, along with modern monitoring and control systems based on IoT sensors, RFID technologies, and data loggers. These tools allow real-time temperature monitoring, send alerts when deviations occur, and provide traceability, ensuring full product identification and compliance with safety procedures required for audits and HACCP systems.

 

New regulations – new opportunities and challenges

Another important aspect is the PPWR directive (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which will come into force on 12 August this year. These regulations will transform the way packaging is designed, produced, used, and recycled across the food, HoReCa, and retail sectors. The new rules promote recyclable packaging design, reduced packaging weight, standardization, and in many cases a transition to reusable models.

For companies providing cold chain solutions, this represents an opportunity to introduce new packaging materials, reusable packaging systems, returnable transport items (RTI), and innovative systems equipped with intelligent seals, labels, and sensors.

 

Trade fair quality mark 

An important element of the event will also be the Golden Medal Trade Fair Competition, organized across all four exhibition segments. The award recognizes the best products presented by exhibitors and offers companies the opportunity to highlight the quality and innovation of their solutions. 

Products evaluated and recognized by industry experts receive a prestigious quality mark that can be used to promote them throughout the following year. 

More information is available on the websites of  ColdChain PolandWorldFood Poland i Gastrotargach SMAKKi.

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