Cold-Chain Logistics: Kuehne+Nagel’s New India Site

Kuehne+Nagel has increased its presence in the Indian pharmaceutical logistics sector by launching a new temperature-controlled airfreight cross dock in Hyderabad. This development follows the company’s efforts to strengthen its HealthChain-certified network in the region and follows an increase in demand for specialised handling of medical shipments.

The move marks a further step in the firm’s long-term investment strategy within the healthcare vertical. By establishing a dedicated site for temperature-sensitive goods, the logistics provider aims to maintain the integrity of pharmaceutical products as they move through the global supply chain.

Strategic positioning in India’s pharma hub

The selection of Hyderabad for this expansion is tied to the city’s role in the global healthcare industry. Often referred to as a primary centre for pharmaceutical production, Hyderabad accounts for more than 40% of India’s total production of vaccines and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

By placing the new facility within this manufacturing ecosystem, the company reduces the distance between production sites and the logistics infrastructure required for international distribution. This proximity is intended to streamline the movement of goods from the factory floor to the airfreight terminal, reducing potential exposure to uncontrolled environments during transit.

Technical specifications and compliance

The new facility covers 248 square metres and is designed to manage various thermal requirements. It features dedicated zones that maintain temperatures between +2°C to +8°C and +15°C to +25°C. These specific ranges are standard requirements for the storage and handling of most modern medicines, including biologics and traditional pharmaceutical formats.

Operational standards at the site are governed by the HealthChain quality certification. This internal benchmark is used by the company to ensure that its facilities meet global GxP compliance requirements. The certification mandates rigorous processes for hygiene, security and temperature monitoring to prevent product degradation.

The Hyderabad cross dock acts as a transit point where shipments are received, sorted and prepared for air transport. This process is critical for maintaining a cold chain, where any break in temperature control can result in the loss of high-value medical inventory.

Expanding the HealthChain network

The opening of the Hyderabad site follows the launch of a similar Cool Zone facility in Bengaluru in December 2025. With these two locations, the organisation now operates a dual-hub HealthChain-certified structure in India, covering two of the country's most active life sciences clusters.

Anish Kumar Jha, Managing Director for Kuehne+Nagel India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said: “This investment strengthens our healthcare logistics network in India and brings us closer to customers operating in one of the country’s most important pharmaceutical hubs. 

“By investing in specialised, HealthChain-certified infrastructure, we are supporting Indian healthcare companies as they grow and connect to global markets through compliant, temperature-controlled supply chains.”

Global logistics context

The expansion in India is part of a broader global strategy for the Swiss-headquartered Group. Currently employing 85,000 people across 1,300 locations, the company manages logistics for approximately 400,000 customers worldwide.

As a provider in both air and sea logistics, the firm focuses on data-driven supply chain solutions. The Hyderabad facility integrates into this wider network, allowing local manufacturers to access international markets through a standardised logistics framework. The Group continues to focus on sectors with high-quality requirements, such as healthcare and life sciences, where regulatory compliance and product safety are the primary operational drivers.