ETV technology brings scalable cold-chain automation to Paris CDG
Air cargo operators are under pressure to expand temperature-controlled capacity without proportionally expanding their facilities. At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is addressing that challenge by automating storage and retrieval in its Perishables Centre.
The project centres on an elevating transfer vehicle from Lödige Industries. The 10-foot-wide edge ETV will serve 58 storage decks for pallets and ULDs. Seventeen decks will be located in controlled-temperature areas, linking vertical storage automation directly with the cold-chain operation.
Using volume as an industrial resource
Rather than relying only on additional floor area, the installation uses the available height of the building. Automated put-away and retrieval can make storage denser and organise the movement of cargo between operating stages. It can also reduce repetitive manual activity, an important consideration where shipments must be handled consistently and quickly.
The technology does not remove the need for controlled processes, but it provides a more repeatable infrastructure for them. By integrating automated movement with dedicated cool zones, the centre is being configured to support temperature-sensitive freight while preparing for higher throughput.
Resilience through scalable infrastructure
For industrial logistics companies, the project illustrates how automation can combine capacity expansion with operational resilience. A system that uses vertical space can help operators respond to demand while limiting pressure on constrained airport real estate. Standardised storage and retrieval may also improve visibility and predictability inside the facility.
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo says the investment will strengthen its cold-chain activity at CDG and improve the flow of temperature-sensitive shipments. The system is being supplied by Lödige Machine Warburg and Lödige Machine Romania, with commissioning planned for the end of September 2027.
