Skip to content

Chemical logistics – Reliable supply chain solutions

Chemical logistics – Reliable supply chain solutions
Chemical logistics – Reliable supply chain solutions
Park
Chemical Header - Park
Air transport
Chemical Header - Air transport
Air transport
Warehousing solutions
Chemical Header - Warehousing solutions
Warehousing solutions
Intermodal transport
Chemical Header - Intermodal transport
Intermodal transport
Road transport
Chemical Header - Road transport
Road transport
Inland waterway transport
Chemical Header - Inland waterway transport
Inland waterway transport
Sea transport
Chemical Header - Sea transport
Sea transport

When the chemistry has to be right

The transportation and storage of chemical substances involve regulatory and handling requirements that are as specific as the individual characteristics of your sensitive freight. Our Rhenus chemical logistics experts take care of everything from chemical storage and value-added services to chemical transport by road, rail, water and air. Whether you choose individual solutions or our 4PL Control Tower to manage entire supply chains: You can count on complete control and rest assured that the flammable, toxic or hazardous properties of your goods do not pose a risk to people, the environment or physical assets.

Thanks to integrated Transport Management Systems, tracking tools and proactive communication, you gain uninterrupted processes that not only result in reliable lead times but also unlock the potential for more cost-effective logistics.

Our services for chemical storage and transport

Autostore at a warehouse

Warehousing solutions

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.

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

Inland waterway transport

Unlock one of our core strengths for your chemical supply chain: 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 transport

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 transport

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.

Orange and blue containers in the sunset

Intermodal transport

We provide reliable intermodal solutions using multiple modes of transport, such as sea, road or rail to ensure faster transit times. With our dedicated port terminals, we can handle a wide range of products, including hazardous goods, in accordance with fire and water protection requirements.

Safety as a responsibility

Regardless of your requirements in terms of chemical storage or transport – take advantage of our modular solutions, which can be customized to the specifications of your goods. Drawing on many years of experience with chemical industry supply chains, we live up to our big responsibility towards people and the environment. In addition to CO2 reporting, we apply product-specific technology as well as sophisticated quality and certification procedures (SQAS). Additional precautions include fire alarm systems, gas detection and air circulation systems as well as CO2 extinguishing systems, ensuring compliant operations and protecting the integrity of your goods.

How your chemical logistics benefit from our expertise

  • Transparency in the supply chain: We know that you entrust the handling of chemicals only to professionals – not just for safety reasons. Digital tools and track & trace allow you to monitor the progress of your chemicals logistics processes at any time.
  • Safety thanks to our own resources: To meet the strict regulations of chemical logistics, we employ the latest safety technology, specialized equipment and certifications . By primarily using our own resources to transport hazardous goods, e.g. vehicles and chemical storage facilities, you benefit from the highest safety standards.
  • Minimizing risk of sanctions and costs: Through regular training of our employees and streamlined processes, we do everything we can to prevent improper chemical storage or transport as well as their health and economic impacts. This way, we avoid potential risks and costs and enable savings potential.
  • Mastering uncertainty: Since chemical supply chains present a number of challenges, our many years of expertise make all the difference. Our specialists are experienced in dealing with the unexpected, prioritizing pro-active communication and quickly minimizing risks with reliable backup solutions.

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 chemical logistics involves significant risks, reliable insurance coverage is essential. Whether for individual chemical shipments, long-term transportation or chemical storage, we help reduce supply chain complexity. Our logistics facilities and equipment are operated in accordance with internationally recognized standards such as FM Global, NFPA and VdS, ensuring high safety levels, risk prevention and reliable insurance coverage through selected insurance partners.

Friendly call center agent who is talking to a customer

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

Discover how Rhenus can optimize the elements of a seamless supply chain in your country.

Get in touch now!

Certified safety and compliance standards

Our chemical logistics operations meet internationally recognized standards for safe, compliant and environmentally responsible handling. This includes fire, explosion and environmental protection, occupational safety as well as standardized classification hazard communication processes. Here is an overview of our certifications.

Certified quality management for your chemical shipments

Ensures standardized processes, continuous improvement and environmentally responsible chemical logistics. Group-wide certifications also include ISO 50001 for energy efficiency and ISO 27001 for information security.

Defines safety standards to protect employees, reduce risks and ensure the safe handling, transport and storage of hazardous materials. Certified across global sites.

Regulates safe maritime transport of dangerous goods and strengthens supply chain security against theft, tampering and risks. Standard for Rhenus ocean freight operations.

Defines strict global requirements for packaging, labeling, documentation and handling of dangerous goods in air cargo. Standard for air transport of chemicals at Rhenus.

Standardizes classification, labeling and hazard communication to ensure safe and compliant storage, handling and transport of chemicals. Adhered to on a global level.

Regulates hazardous goods transport by road and rail, including packaging, documentation and safety measures. Available at many strategic locations worldwide.

Secure chemical supply chains across global trade lanes

Strengthen your global presence and resilience with chemical logistics chains designed for stability, flexibility and regulatory compliance – even in the most complex markets.

Combining a global footprint and standardized quality processes with the agility of a family-owned business, we support both the optimization of existing operations and expansion into new markets. Our Rhenus teams connect Europe with key international trade routes, including the US, India, Southeast Asia and the growing LATAM corridor. With reliable air, sea and intermodal transport solutions and a strong regional background in markets such as Brazil, Chile or Colombia, we support your business grow while navigating evolving trade agreements.

Download

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!

Download now

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.

We support global chemical logistics across key trade lanes including Europe–USA, India–Europe, Southeast Asia–Europe and the growing LATAM corridor. Whether you are strengthening operations in Europe or expanding into new markets, we accompany you with safe, compliant and efficient supply chain solutions across all modes of transport.

We embed sustainability into every stage of the chemical supply chain, taking our responsibility to protect the environment seriously. Using CO2 calculation tools, we drive low-emission processes and create transparency across operations. At the same time, certified quality and safety standards ensure responsible handling and protect the environment, people and physical assets throughout storage and transport.