DoKaSch

What DoKaSch does

DoKaSch Temperature Solutions GmbH, founded in 2013 in Kelsterbach, Germany, provides active, battery-powered temperature-controlled air cargo containers (unit load devices) for the intercontinental air transport of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Its core products are the Opticooler RAP (large container, 6.57 m³ usable volume, up to 5 EUR pallets, 120-hour battery runtime) and the Opticooler RKN (compact container, 1.88 m³, up to 1.5 EUR pallets, 70-hour runtime). Both use compressor-based, electrically powered climate control without dry ice, maintaining temperatures between +2°C and +30°C in 0.1°C increments across ambient conditions from -30°C to +50°C, with multiple redundant air-conditioning systems (up to 4-fold for RAP, 3-fold for RKN) and touchscreen operation. The company builds on roughly 30 years of ULD manufacturing heritage from parent operations; the Opticooler was originally developed for Lufthansa in 2004.

The business model is asset-based rental. Containers are rented on a per-trip basis ("Trip-Rental") and booked directly through airline cargo divisions alongside freight (per AWB), with airlines handling invoicing and collection; rental plus handling fees form the revenue mechanic. Distribution runs primarily through a channel network of 40+ airline partners under Master Rental Agreements (including Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Delta, Lufthansa, Japan Airlines, ANA, American Airlines, United), supplemented by direct rental for special requirements and a digital DoKaSch Portal for online booking. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated through airline partners. End customers are multinational pharmaceutical companies, biotech and vaccine manufacturers, and the freight forwarders serving them.

The company operates as a medium-sized family business (11–50 employees) with flat hierarchies, its own production and maintenance facilities in Germany, and a global service footprint including regional entities/subsidiaries in the USA (DoKaSch Americas Inc., 2018), Japan (DoKaSch Temperature Solutions K.K., 2021), and service stations at Frankfurt, Hyderabad (India, 2021), and Narita (Japan, 2021). A fleet of 500+ "Made in Germany" containers is deployed globally, supported by regional sales managers across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.

Name

DoKaSch

Legal name

DoKaSch Temperature Solutions GmbH

Website

https://dokasch-ts.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DoKaSch provides active, battery-powered temperature-controlled air cargo containers (Opticooler RAP and RKN) rented through 40+ airline partners for intercontinental transport of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, serving multinational pharma companies, vaccine manufacturers, and freight forwarders worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Temperature-Controlled Air Cargo Containers

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Active Temperature-Controlled Packaging & Container Services (Envirotainer/CSafe, PCM) (TLACAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Temperature-Controlled Air Freight (Pharma, Perishables, Active/Passive Packaging) (TLACAAAE), Pharmaceutical Cold Chain & Temperature-Controlled Distribution (CRAOAHAH), Temperature-Controlled / Pharma Air Cargo Carriers (TLADAAAG)

Keywords

• Temperature-controlled air cargo
• Pharmaceutical cold chain
• Active container rental
• Air freight containers
• Pharma logistics solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Kelsterbach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Opticooler Container Rental: Opticooler containers are rented on a per-trip basis (Trip-Rental) through airline cargo divisions. Customers book containers alongside their freight shipment (per AWB). Longer-term rentals or multiple transports during one rental period are not possible. Rental fees plus handling fees are charged, with airlines handling invoicing and payment collection directly.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DoKaSch Temperature Solutions GmbH develops, manufactures, and rents the Opticooler family of active, battery-powered, fully air-conditioned air cargo containers (ULDs) for the intercontinental transport of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Containers are rented on a per-trip basis through a global network of 40+ airline partners, with service stations in Germany, India, and Japan, and bookings supported by the digital DoKaSch Portal.

Product overview

DoKaSch Temperature Solutions offers a portfolio of active battery-powered, fully air-conditioned air cargo containers for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical logistics. The core products are the Opticooler® RAP (large container for up to 5 pallets with 6.57 m3 volume and 120-hour battery runtime) and Opticooler® RKN (compact container for 1 pallet with 1.88 m3 volume and 70-hour battery runtime). Both containers maintain precise temperatures (+2° to +8°C or +15° to +25°C) across all climate zones. The portfolio is supported by the DoKaSch Portal for digital container booking. Containers are rented globally through airline partnerships with free delivery areas in Europe, USA, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Opticooler RAP: Large capacity active air cargo container with up to 5 EUR pallets loading volume (6.57 m3), temperature range +2° to +8°C or +15° to +25°C, battery runtime up to 120 hours, made in Germany
• Opticooler RKN
• DoKaSch Portal

Products and services

• Opticooler RAP Large active air cargo container with up to 5 Euro pallets or 4 CP1 pallets capacity, 6.57 m3 usable volume, up to 4-fold redundant air conditioning, 120-hour battery runtime, and interior temperature maintained at +2° to +8°C or +15° to +25°C in 0.1°C increments; designed for intercontinental airfreight of high-value pharmaceuticals.
• Opticooler RKN Compact active air cargo container with up to 1.5 Euro pallets or 1 CP1 pallet capacity, 1.88 m3 usable volume, up to 3-fold redundant air conditioning, 70-hour battery runtime, forklift pockets for easy handling, and interior temperature maintained at +2° to +8°C or +15° to +25°C in 0.1°C increments.
• DoKaSch Portal Digital booking platform for Opticooler rentals with guided booking forms, templates, address book integration, flexible changes and cancellations, automated notifications, and API-ready direct system connectivity for real-time workflows.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% cost savings compared to passive containers for multi-pallet shipments
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• American Airlines CargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 October 2023DoKaSch achieved technical approval for Opticooler RKN active containers with American Airlines Cargo. Forwarders can now use fast and reliable temperature-controlled packaging solution on all flights operated by the US carrier.
• United CargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 April 2023United Cargo completed technical approval of Opticooler RKN container to enhance temperature-controlled airfreight services for pharmaceutical industries' global shipments, following earlier RAP certification.
• Japan Airlines (JAL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 July 2022Japan Airlines signed Master Rental Agreement for Opticooler as part of cool service. JAL's Narita hub handles about 60% of Japan's pharmaceutical import trade. Intercontinental networks connect Japan with Europe, North America, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
• All Nippon Airways (ANA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 February 2022ANA and DoKaSch signed Master Rental Agreement for Opticooler containers. Japan's largest airline provides Opticooler through PRIO PHARMA (pharmaceuticals) and PRIO TEMP (non-pharmaceutical temperature-controlled) products.
• Narita International Airport (CCC Terminal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2021New service station established at Narita International Airport which handles half of Japan's pharmaceutical trade. The Cargo Climate Control Terminal (CCC) is one of the largest temperature-controlled storage facilities for airports in Japan.
• GMR Hyderabad Air CargocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021DoKaSch opened service station at GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo Terminal, India's major pharma production and export hub. Hyderabad's Genome Valley houses major vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. Station capacity for up to 100 containers, 20 containers per day.
• Air EuropacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 December 2020Air Europa signed Master Rental Agreement enabling direct routes between Europe and Latin America. 21 destinations in Latin America now accessible with Opticooler including major cities in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Honduras, and Panama.
• Delta CargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 October 2020Delta Cargo approved Opticooler RAP for cold chain pharma program including vaccine transport. First US passenger carrier to receive IATA CEIV Pharma Certification. Partnership provides seamless experience across trans-Atlantic routes with joint venture partners Air France-KLM Cargo.
• Etihad CargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 April 2018DoKaSch provides Opticooler containers to Etihad Cargo. Partnership completes coverage of all leading Middle East airlines for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical transport.
• Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 February 2018Africa's largest cargo network operator joined as client. Ethiopian Airlines operates the continent's largest state-of-the-art cargo terminal at Addis Ababa. Opticooler offered for pharmaceutical transport through the airline's hub to and from Africa.
• SAUDIA CARGOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2017SAUDIA CARGO signed Master Agreement to provide Opticooler containers for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Jeddah serves as important trading hub for Middle East, Asia, and Africa connections. Containers designed for extreme conditions including temperatures up to 50°C common in Saudi Arabia.
• Qatar Airways CargocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 August 2017Qatar Airways, the world's third-largest cargo airline, signed Master Rental Agreement to offer Opticooler RKN and RAP containers globally. Enables customers to lease active containers directly from Qatar Airways for pharmaceutical shipments worldwide through their extensive flight network.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sonoco ThermoSafe: Major manufacturer of temperature-controlled packaging for pharma, including passive parcel solutions and active container rentals. Competes with DoKaSch across both active and passive cold chain packaging categories.
• Envirotainer: The global category leader in active temperature-controlled air cargo containers (ULD) for pharmaceuticals, with the largest fleet and deepest airline relationships. Direct head-to-head competitor to DoKaSch's Opticooler RAP and RKN in pharma cold chain air freight.
• va-Q-tec: German-based provider of high-performance thermal containers (passive VIP/PCM-based) for pharma and biotech logistics. Competes with DoKaSch particularly for routes where passive solutions are viable.
• CSafe Global: Provider of active and passive temperature-controlled container solutions for pharma and life sciences air freight. Competes directly with DoKaSch in active container rentals serving pharmaceutical shippers and freight forwarders.
• Pelican BioThermal: Provider of reusable temperature-controlled shippers (passive) for pharma and life sciences. Competes with DoKaSch in pharma cold chain, especially for shorter-haul or less extreme temperature ranges.

Broad incumbents

• Lufthansa Cargo: Major global air cargo carrier and one of DoKaSch's earliest partners (Opticooler originally developed for Lufthansa in 2004). Operates CEIV-Pharma-certified cold chain and competes as a vertically integrated pharma air freight provider.

Emerging players

• Cold Chain Technologies: US-based provider of thermal packaging solutions for life sciences cold chain, including parcel and bulk formats. Partial overlap with DoKaSch in pharmaceutical temperature-controlled logistics.
• Tower Cold Chain: UK-based provider of passive temperature-controlled pharmaceutical containers, including the Tower Aurora and Helium containers. Emerging competitor targeting pharma cold chain air freight.
• SkyCell: Swiss provider of hybrid temperature-controlled container solutions for pharma air freight. An emerging player in active containers that overlaps with DoKaSch's pharma cold chain offering.

Regional players

• Cathay Cargo (Cathay Pacific): Asia-based air cargo carrier with strong CEIV-Pharma network across Asia, Europe and the Americas; DoKaSch airline partner that also offers its own temperature-controlled pharma solutions, making it both a channel and partial competitor in pharma air freight.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dokasch-temperature-solutions-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DoKaSch