DHL Group is to invest €2 billion (US$2.2bn) over the next five years in the life sciences and healthcare sector as part of its Strategy 2030.
Some 50% of the investment allocated to the Americas, 25% to Asia Pacific, and 25% to the EMEA region and will deliver faster, more reliable and patient-centric logistics solutions.
The investment will focus on enhancing storage, order fulfilment, distribution, global shipping and last-mile delivery. A significant part will be allocated to establishing new cross-divisional GPD-certified Pharma Hubs for multi-temperature shipments lanes, expanding cold chain capacity in existing facilities, commissioning new temperature-controlled vehicles and enhancing passive and active packaging solutions.
As the demand grows in critical areas such as clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies, DHL is also investing in specialized cooling infrastructure to accommodate low and ultra-low temperature ranges. Additionally, the Group will implement new IT systems.
A new DHL Health Logistics sector brand will consolidate life sciences and healthcare expertise.
Chief executive of DHL Supply Chain, Oscar de Bok, said: “We’re building high-quality, integrated logistics solutions that are as innovative and reliable as the products our customers create – ensuring that patients everywhere receive the right treatment, at the right time, with complete confidence.”
Life sciences and healthcare logistics contributed over €5 billion to DHL Group’s global revenue in 2024. Currently, DHL Group operates nearly 600 sites, hubs, and warehouses in almost 130 countries dedicated to life sciences and healthcare logistics, with over 2.5 million sq m of temperature-controlled warehouse space.
DHL Group recently acquired Cryopdp, a specialist courier focused on clinical trials, biopharma, and cell and gene therapies.