DHL Supply Chain Breaks Ground on European Battery Logistics Hub in the Netherlands

The batteries handled at the Holtum site are intended for use in electric vehicles as well as in the rapidly growing segment of battery energy storage systems (BESS), including home storage and solar energy applications. As demand for electric mobility and decentralized energy solutions accelerates across Europe, DHL Supply Chain is seeing strong interest from customers in the automotive, industrial and energy sectors seeking safe, scalable and compliant logistics solutions for battery supply chains. With its strategic location, Holtum is positioned to develop into a central European gateway for EV and energy storage logistics, serving customers across the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and neighboring markets. 

"The transformation of mobility and energy systems is a key driver of change in global supply chains," says Rainer Haag, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Europe. "By expanding our battery logistics capabilities in Holtum and closely linking them with our existing automotive expertise on site, we are creating a scalable one stop shop solution for the EV sector. This investment directly supports DHL Group Strategy 2030, where New Energy is a decisive growth driver for our business across Europe."

The new battery logistics facility is designed to support complex and highly regulated battery supply chains and enables a broad range of value added services at one location. These include compliant storage of battery units, diagnostics and testing, charging and conditioning, refurbishment, reverse logistics and preparation for recycling. By combining logistics and technical services, the Holtum campus enables customers to manage the full battery lifecycle efficiently while supporting circular supply chain models and more sustainable use of resources.

"For the Netherlands and the region around Holtum, this development reinforces the site's strategic importance as a logistics and new energy hub," says John Scherders, CEO of DHL Supply Chain Benelux. "By connecting the new battery operation with our existing automotive and spare parts site right next door, we are creating a center of excellence that allows us to offer seamless logistics and technical services for electric mobility and energy storage customers across Europe."

The Holtum campus benefits from excellent connectivity to European transport corridors, with direct access to major motorways linking the Benelux and Germany, as well as proximity to a nearby container and barge terminal on the Juliana Canal. This waterborne connection further enhances the site's ability to support efficient and resilient supply chains, offering customers additional options for sustainable European distribution.

The project forms part of DHL Group Strategy 2030, which focuses on supporting customers in growth sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy and circular supply chains. With New Energy identified as a key driver of future growth, DHL Supply Chain continues to invest in specialized infrastructure and services that enable customers to scale sustainably across Europe.