The chemical industry is one of the most successful and competitive industries there is, supplying virtually all other sectors with crucial intermediate and end products as well as solutions. This is made possible by high production standards, comprehensive infrastructure, and tailored logistics with a clear focus on reliability, quality, and safety.
Chemistry and progress form an exceedingly stable bond. The idea of using chemistry to change something for the better is reflected in the etymology of the word: “chemistry” is derived from chemeía, the ancient Greek term meaning “the transformation of metal,” or alloying. Over the millennia, science has undergone its own kind of transformation. Whereas early alchemists were primarily interested in producing gold, later scientists turned to examining the properties of the elements and of compounds, an activity that provides much deeper insights to this day.
The second-biggest industry
With over £61.0 billion of exports, 2024 saw the chemicals & pharmaceuticals industry as the UK’s second largest manufacturing industry behind machinery & transport equipment. The UK chemical and pharmaceutical industry has a workforce of over 138,000 people and across the country.
Chemical research centers, factories, and logistics chains are interwoven across the continent, constantly coming up with new ideas and intelligent materials for products that contribute to our daily life. “Logistics solutions tailored to the specific needs of the chemical industry give companies certainty that they can plan on having secure access to European and global markets at all times”, Daniel Bateson says.
A bespoke industry solution
DACHSER has built up decades of experience as well as a tightly knit transport and warehouse network for packaged chemical products. “Our DACHSER
Chem-Logistics global industry solution, which we launched in 2007, combines the standardised network services of one of Europe’s largest groupage logistics providers with very specific, tailored chemical logistics expertise,” Bateson explains. “Put in chemistry terms, we want to create the perfect compound solution for our customers.”
In 2024, DACHSER Chem Logistics handled some 3,8 million shipments weighing 3.3 million metric tons, including 1.1 million dangerous goods shipments. With its global land, air, and sea freight transport network, the logistics service provider embodies process reliability with its defined procedures, reliable transit times, and the capacity it offers. Furthermore, its quality and safety standards far exceed the legal requirements; DACHSER has been a trusted partner of the VCI for forwarding services by road, air, and sea since 2009.
Access to all worldwide sales and procurement markets
DACHSER has its own European transport network with daily routes serving Europe, the CIS states, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East – with uniform logistics standards governing all operations. “Through direct transports, platforms, and hub solutions, we directly minimise the handling frequency of sensitive chemical goods,” Bateson explains, adding that this categorically enhances both safety and process quality when dealing with chemical products.
On that basis, Bateson says, DACHSER can put together an attractive, comprehensive package for chemical customers. “In collaboration with DACHSER Contract Logistics, we create comprehensive, integrated logistics solutions using warehouses specially designed for the storage of chemical products. For its part, DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics is a one-stop shop that provides fast and flexible access to all worldwide sales and procurement markets,” he says.
People make a difference
The correct handling of dangerous goods calls for highly trained specialists along the entire logistics chain. Mandatory standards applicable to everyone involved are also a must. To this end, in its central dangerous goods management system for Road Logistics and Air & Sea Logistics, DACHSER has established standardised, internal regulations with defined transport exclusions and risk assessments.
DACHSER has more than 260 regional dangerous goods safety advisors, who conduct regular internal and external training for over 12,415 employees worldwide each year. The aim is to ensure in-house expertise in handling dangerous substances thanks to specially trained employees and industry experts. “When it comes to our safety and quality standards, we far exceed the legal requirements,” Bateson says.
A clear reflection of this is that DACHSER’s 29 European locations received positive SQAS (Safety & Quality Assessment for Sustainability) evaluations for their performance based on Cefic’s “Transport Service” and “Warehouse” assessment questionnaires. The SQAS assessment provides a statement of facts attesting to the performance of a safety, health, environmental, and quality management system.
“With this proactive quality monitoring by neutral assessors, we are continuously working to safeguard our performance standards. Not because we have to, but because we can and want to demonstrate this independently to ourselves and our customers,” Bateson explains.
With these efforts, DACHSER is creating a reaction in order to prompt change – fully in line with the essence of chemistry. And it’s not always comfortable, but as the great physicist and chemist Marie Curie was well aware: “One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.” On the other hand, that is precisely how you prepare for the future.
