DHL Group has inaugurated its new Europe Innovation Center in Troisdorf, Germany, enhancing its commitment to advancing logistics through innovative technologies. Situated near the Group’s headquarters in Bonn, the facility replaces a previous center and spans 5,360 square meters. This upgraded space is designed to foster the development and application of cutting-edge technologies aimed at creating smarter, more sustainable, and resilient supply chains.
The Innovation Center serves as a collaborative platform for customers, startups, academic institutions, and industry partners. It showcases DHL’s latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), aligning with DHL Group’s Strategy 2030. This strategy emphasizes smart growth, reduced emissions, and digital transformation, positioning the center as a catalyst for next-generation logistics solutions.
Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation
Katja Busch, Chief Commercial Officer of DHL and head of DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation (CSI), stated, “Innovation is the engine driving our transformation. The new DHL Europe Innovation Center enables collaboration, driving growth, and redefining what’s possible in logistics – by turning ideas into impact.” The center operates with zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, constructed from cross-laminated timber and powered by renewable energy. This approach exemplifies DHL’s commitment to sustainability, meeting the high standards of the DGNB Platinum certification for green buildings in Europe.
The flexible and modular design of the center allows it to host up to 400 visitors, facilitating various events and workshops that support dynamic collaboration and innovation. The facility also houses the DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation team, which plays a crucial role in advancing the Group’s global innovation agenda.
Strategic Focus on Emerging Trends
The technologies featured in the Innovation Center align with the key trends outlined in the DHL Logistics Trend Radar. This strategic tool helps anticipate industry shifts over the next decade. A global survey of over 2,500 supply chain professionals revealed that AI, robotics, and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) factors are the three primary trends expected to shape future supply chains. Busch emphasized, “Our customers want solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also sustainable and scalable.”
DHL is committed to not only developing and testing new technologies but also implementing them at scale across its global operations. DHL Supply Chain, the Group’s contract logistics division, is pivotal in commercializing these innovations. Through a structured approach that includes modular standardization and strategic partnerships, DHL Supply Chain has successfully deployed nearly 10,000 automation and digitalization projects globally, integrating over 8,000 collaborative robots into its operations.
Rainer Haag, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Europe, noted, “Today, nearly every customer site we operate has been touched by our innovation agenda. Intelligent technologies are embedded across all our operations, globally.” He added that innovation reaches its full potential when implemented at scale, delivering real impact for customers, employees, and investors alike.
The new Europe Innovation Center is part of a broader global network of DHL Innovation Centers, which includes facilities in Chicago, Singapore, and Dubai. This interconnected ecosystem enables DHL to identify emerging trends, engage with customers, and scale impactful solutions across regions and business units. By fostering collaboration across geographies and industries, DHL ensures that its innovations are both locally relevant and globally scalable, driving progress in logistics and supply chain management worldwide.
