Chemical logistics – Reliable supply chain solutions

When it comes to chemical logistics, there’s no room for experiments: if you need to be certain about the safe handling of your chemicals and hazardous goods, rely on Rhenus – for product-specific chemical storage and transport solutions as well as specialized handling along the entire value chain.

Rows of blue chemical barrels stacked on pallets in a warehouse
Rows of blue chemical barrels stacked on pallets in a warehouse

When the chemistry has to be right

When it comes to the transportation or storage of chemical substances, don’t leave anything to chance. After all, the legal and logistical requirements for different chemicals are as specific as their individual characteristics. Our Rhenus chemical logistics experts take special care – also in terms of temperature control. Thus, we ensure that the flammable, toxic or environmentally hazardous properties do not pose a risk to people, the environment or physical assets.

We organize all pre-carriage, main carriage and on-carriage accurately so that your sensitive freight moves through the entire transport chain in compliance with all regulations – from chemical storage within our global network to chemical transport by road, rail, water and air. Because standard solutions do not always do justice to your goods, our high-quality services can be managed centrally from the Rhenus Control Tower. This comprehensive 4PL service provides an overview of all carriers and transport steps for your shipment. On top of this, we can add additional value by handling tasks such as labeling, repackaging and sampling.

Our services for chemical storage and transport

Autostore at a warehouse

Warehousing

Over 350,000 square meters of warehouse space are available for chemical storage processes at our locations worldwide. Whether as a multiuser, dedicated or in-house solution, in addition to warehousing, we also take care of activities such as sorting and kitting your goods.

Stacked shipping containers at a port with a Rhenus Logistics container handler and workers in safety gear

Port logistics

Our port locations are the connecting element for chemical industry supply chains. In addition to dry, trimodal handling, we manage the storage of bulk goods and a wide range of products in accordance with the requirements for hazardous goods as well as fire and water protection.

Aerial view of a cargo ship carrying colorful shipping containers on a canal

Inland waterway transport

With branches along important waterways and hubs as well as our own fleet, we transport a variety of products safely via major waterways. For example, we specialize in chemical logistics for raw materials, starting products such as ores and pure chemical substances as well as mixed substances.

Aerial view of a truck driving on a straight road through vast green fields at sunset

Road transport

Whether door-to-door or between depots, ports and customer sites: with our global network, we can cover any distance for your chemical logistics by means of cross-border road transport. Whether part loads or full-truck loads, we will provide the right service tailored to your transport volume.

Aerial view of an airplane on a runway at an airport with marked taxiway lines

Air freight

Airfreight is the ideal option when you need to get your goods to their destination safely and quickly. Working with our own facilities and selected partners, you benefit from reliable services and direct access to the chemical industry’s global network of suppliers.

Aerial view of a busy port with container ships and stacked colorful shipping containers

Sea freight

Chemical shipments by sea freight have numerous advantages for your business: as a worldwide and cost-effective mode of transportation, FCL and LCL shipments are handled daily and ensure reliable transit times – for a smooth process throughout your entire supply chain.

Scenic aerial view of a freight train running along a coastal forest and blue waters

Rail transport

Chemical logistics customers benefit from the efficiency of rail transport. We have our own traction units, coverage of intra-European freight centers and cooperation and freight agreements with rail operators to ensure smooth transport and ideal connections to multimodal supply chains.

The right formula for your chemical logistics

Regardless of your requirements for chemical storage or transportation of your chemical cargo: with Rhenus, you can rely on a resilient service across all logistics modes. Supplemented by a wide range of value-added services, we combine modular services with experienced handling of chemicals – for chemical industry supply chain solutions that meet the specifications of your goods.

In order to guarantee reliable chemical logistics for protecting the integrity of your substances, we draw on many years of experience in handling hazardous substances and use product-specific technology as well as sophisticated quality and certification procedures. Fire alarm systems, gas detection and air circulation systems, CO2 extinguishing systems and certificates for the management of your goods help us to ensure the safety of goods, people and the environment.

Rhenus expertise for your chemicals

  • Transparency in the supply chain: We know that you entrust the handling of chemicals only to professionals – and not just for safety reasons. Telematics and track & trace allow you to monitor the progress of your chemicals logistics processes at any time so you can be sure that your goods are being handled professionally.
  • Safety thanks to our own resources: We take special care in chemical logistics by employing the latest safety technology, specialized equipment and certifications to transport hazardous goods in accordance with regulations. As we primarily use our own resources, e.g. vehicles and chemical storage facilities, we can guarantee the highest safety standards – for people, the environment and your goods.
  • Minimizing risk of sanctions and costs: Since the incorrect handling of chemicals may have an impact on people’s health as well as economic consequences, our processes are ideally designed to avoid potential risks to your supply chain. The regular training of our employees as well as streamlined processes help avert unplanned costs in connection with your chemical storage or transport operations.

Adding value to your chemical logistics

Close-up of a 'handle with care' label on transparent packaging

Quality control and sampling

As part of our chemical storage services, we ensure that chemical products and raw materials meet the high standards required. Using either spot checks or continuous monitoring: our employees are specially trained to take samples and report back on quality, nature and composition of the substances – so that you can be certain that the products stored with us are in perfect condition.

Workers inspecting blue barrels with a checklist in a logistics warehouse

Freight management

As part of our freight management, we ensure that all legal requirements for your chemical logistics are met. In this context, we prepare and monitor all freight documents and ensure the correct declaration and management of hazardous goods in accordance with international guidelines. In this way, we ensure that all products are correctly labeled and documented for each customer and country, and that the paperwork is stored in accordance with regulations.

Worker placing a shipping label on a package using a label printer

Labeling

Our labeling and relabeling service guarantees that all country-specific labeling requirements are met. Depending on your specific needs, our experts can provide your chemicals with special labels and barcodes so that your substances are labeled in accordance with legal requirements.

Warehouse worker repacking goods into compact pallets

Repackaging and packaging

We take care of the professional repackaging and packaging so that your chemical goods can continue their journey undamaged. Be it repacking containers into new packaging, consolidating various consignments or adding further products: you can rely not only on perfect conditions during chemical storage, but also on complete safety beyond that.

Worker wearing protective gear handling chemical containers in a mixing facility

Filling and mixing

We know that the packaging or container sizes from production and storage do not always correspond to the dimensions that your customers receive. That’s why we safely fill and transfer various liquids into customer-specific units. We also professionally mix or tint products such as paints – according to your individual requirements.

Worker using a pallet jack to load cardboard boxes onto a truck

Carrier management

At Rhenus, chemical logistics does not end with transportation and storage services. In order to ideally coordinate manufacturing processes and deliveries, plan routes optimally and give you the best possible visibility, the Rhenus 4PL Control Tower takes over the precise planning of all processes as part of carrier management with our preferred carriers – convenient and simple.

Customs declaration form with barcode printed for shipping

Customs management

Whatever route, mode of transport or process is the most suitable choice for your products – as part of our chemical logistics services, our trained Rhenus experts also take care of customs clearance for your sensitive goods. Keeping close contact with the local authorities and many years of experience, we support you with all customs issues.

Two professionals reviewing documents for shipment insurance

Insurance for your chemical transport

Because handling chemicals involves so many risks, it is essential to obtain transport insurance. Whether you need coverage for individual chemical shipments or for long-term transportation, we take another layer of complexity out of your supply chain and ensure that your goods are covered cost-effectively with selected insurance partners and premiums.

Friendly call center agent who is talking to a customer

Are you looking for efficient chemical logistics that manages risks routinely?

Rhenus individually combines all elements of a smooth and secure supply chain for you.

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Best practice: Warehousing with the highest quality standards

Sophisticated chemical storage

Professional chemical logistics not only involves complying with regulations, but also creating efficient processes – despite the risks associated with the transported goods. Find out how a leading global chemical manufacturer managed to achieve just that with Rhenus in the best practice use case!

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Frequently asked questions

In the field of chemical logistics, we transport and store hazardous substances, chemical raw materials, finished products, intermediate products and special chemicals. These can be liquid, solid or gaseous substances such as acids, bases, solvents, lubricants, plastics, paints and varnishes or pharmaceutical products.

In order to counteract the flammable, toxic or environmentally hazardous properties of chemical substances, we not only provide suitable packaging and cargo securing, but also pay particular attention to their specific requirements. When carrying out chemical storage or transport tasks, for example, we use special vehicles with cooling modules or air-conditioned warehouses. Of course, we transport and store the various substances separately to avoid undesired reactions.

Generally, our experts at Rhenus are trained to move and store goods of all hazardous goods classification types. Especially for specific substances, such as particularly explosive or radiation-contaminated substances, close coordination is required to determine how Rhenus can implement your request. Our experts would be happy to help you find the right logistics solution.

Thanks to our many years of experience with the legal requirements of chemical logistics, we are experienced in obtaining the relevant permits from the authorities, and always striving to substantiate the quality of our services with certifications. We would be happy to discuss with you individually how we can meet the requirements of your goods for customized chemical storage and transportation.