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DHL Europe Innovation Center

Launched in 2007, the DHL Europe Innovation Center in Germany is a cutting-edge hub of creativity and forward-thinking activity where the future of logistics is being shaped today. Customers, partners, academia and thought leaders convene around the latest industry innovations with the aim of translating visionary ideas into operational capabilities.

From groundbreaking Robotics, IoT & Sustainability applications to awe-inspiring automation, the DHL Innovation Center in Germany stands as a testament to DHL's commitment to redefining the very essence of logistics. 

Now, with the opening of the new Europe Innovation Center, we're building on this legacy and taking it to the next level, reimagining the space to be bolder, greener, and more connected than ever before. Designed for flexibility, collaboration, and customer-centric innovation, here, we invite you to Think Beyond, Think EPIC, and to shape what’s next in logistics with us.

Find Our Europe Innovation Center in Cologne, Germany, on Google Maps.

€1.6 billion

invested by the EU to support breakthrough technologies in 2023.

$1.26 trillion

is the estimated value of Europe's freight and logistics market size by 2029.

$1.5 trillion

is the size of the AI, IoT and Green Hydrogen market.

38% 

of UK companies surveyed said digitilization had a positive impact on their innovation activity. 

Explore the DHL Europe Innovation Center in Germany

Explore the DHL Europe Innovation Center in Germany

The DHL Europe Innovation Center in Cologne prides itself on supporting a vibrant and inspirational facility outfitted to make individuals as comfortable as possible during their visit. Innovation leadership and a customer-centric approach specific to visitors’ interests and business needs are key to every experience. Customers, partners, and thought leaders can engage with DHL experts to solve challenges and demonstrate the future of logistics.

Find out more by watching our videos, and request a tour.

  1. 1 Explore the DHL Europe Innovation Center in Germany 1:38
  2. 2 Chapter 1: Why We Decided to Build a Flagship Facility 3:10
  3. 3 Chapter 2: Innovation In Every Layer, Our Sustainable Approach 3:47

The Innovation Experience

The DHL Europe Innovation Center in Cologne prides itself on supporting a vibrant and inspirational facility outfitted to make individuals as comfortable as possible during their visit. Innovation leadership and a customer-centric approach specific to visitors’ interests and business needs are key to every experience. Customers, partners, and thought leaders can engage with DHL experts to solve challenges and demonstrate the future of logistics.

Find out more by watching our videos, and request a tour.

Tailored Workshops

Our specialists facilitate tailored workshops for DHL customers to solve complex business problems together with their teams. These sessions pinpoint and prioritize actionable solutions for key logistics and supply chain challenges. 

Custom Tours

Discover the latest logistics trends at our Innovation Centers through interactive exhibits. Tailored tours delve into customer priorities and explore key trend topics like data analytics, AI, sustainability, robotics, automation, and IoT.

Innovation Events

Participate in our globally recognized innovation events, where you can actively network, gain insights, foster connections with collaborators, and spark fresh ideas addressing the most relevant challenges in the supply chain and logistics industry.

Innovation Insights Live

DHL Innovation Insights Live is the video newsletter connecting our innovation community with forward-thinking trends, technologies, solutions and case studies shaping the future of logistics and supply chains. Watch now. 

Interact With Hands-On Innovation at the DHL Innovation Center in Germany

Visits are tailored to focus areas deemed high interest by customers, such as: automation and efficiency, customer experience, environmental sustainability, health, safety and the future of work, physical and digital security, and visibility and resilience. You will then engage with targeted exhibits arranged by trends to discover innovation opportunities.  

Here are a few trends you can interact with up close at the DHL Europe Innovation Center:

Computer Vision and AI

This technology utilizes cameras to capture photos or videos and applies AI algorithms to analyze data from this digital imagery. AI systems are trained to differentiate objects, while more advanced versions can track objects across viewpoints and learn independently. Explore stationary robotics and parcel and pallet dimensioning and sorting innovations paving the way for computer vision and AI in logistics.

Decarbonization

This is the movement towards reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) in the atmosphere. This involves burning less and burning clean to reach carbon neutrality, as well as actively removing existing CO2e in the environment to become carbon-negative. DHL has a suite of GoGreen solutions and a robust ESG roadmap to support customers on their journey to more environmentally sustainable operations. Customers can interact with sustainable materials, test their skills through topical challenges and even see the future of sustainable aviation.

Smartification

Smartification involves retrofitting analog assets with sensor and wireless technologies, making them ‘smart’ and connected, bridging the analog-digital divide. Smartification lets users collect sensor data for analysis, performance measurement, simulations, and data-based decisions. From condition monitoring to asset tracking to real-time visibility and security, there’s an IoT device to fit almost any major visibility goal – and you can explore at the Innovation Center a wide range of sensors to fulfill your smartification goals.

Visitor Testimonials

“To show what one of the big providers is thinking, what are they doing, where we can see with our eyes and not only talk about things – it really brings value.” 

 

 

Senior Procurement Category Manager, Consumer Packaged Goods industry

Modal

Spearheading the Innovation Centers

Eric Vargas is the Head of Innovation Centers, Global and Europe, with forty years of experience in logistics, customer relationships, process design, quality improvement, project management, IT, business development, and the workings of the DHL Group Business Units. He has extensive team leadership experience, proven entrepreneurial skills, and expertise in managing important profit-and-loss units. He is responsible for the operation and positioning of DHL’s Global Innovation Centers and is an innovation ambassador for DHL, leading on customer experience, engagement methodologies, and operational standards for the Innovation Centers.

Eric Vargas, Head of Innovation Centers, Global and Europe

Know Before You Go

The DHL Europe Innovation Center in Germany looks forward to welcoming you to our facility. Here are a few details to consider in advance. Have any unanswered questions or want to connect? Email us at innovationcenter@dhl.com

Explore our Location

The DHL Europe Innovation Center is located at Kaiserstraße 2, 53840 Troisdorf , Germany. It is conveniently situated near DHL’s Bonn corporate headquarters. The Innovation Center is close to public transportation and is also easily accessible by car, taxi, and ride shares. 

Share your Experience

The DHL Innovation Centers are picture-friendly, and you’re encouraged to snap photographs and share your experience online. If you leave feeling inspired, share your insights in a Google review – industry peers might benefit from your takeaways.

Hospitality is at the Heart of Your Experience

DHL wants visitors to the Innovation Centers to be comfortable and seen. Caring staff are happy to accommodate individual dietary and mobility requirements; please communicate any needs in advance of your visit. Bar 1969 is our in-house coffee facility, where you’ll find refreshments and snacks.

Planning is Key

To get the most from your experience, work closely with your DHL Group contact and the Innovation Center team to identify your objectives and set expectations for the most beneficial outcomes. Sharing your pain points, aspirations, and trend interests will greatly support the planning process for a dynamic and valuable experience. Your input is critical, and we appreciate the opportunity to co-innovate and go beyond potential.