Warehouse Execution System
Chemical industry: Real-time transparency in block storage, hazardous materials storage, and production environments
Whether petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, polymer production, hazardous materials storage, or bulk handling: Modern chemical logistics requires maximum process reliability, ERP warehouse integration such as SAP S/4HANA, and seamless real-time tracking.
The reality in chemical warehouses: complex, sensitive, safety-critical
Intralogistics in the chemical industry is significantly more demanding than in traditional distribution warehouses. It operates in an environment characterized by high safety requirements, regulatory specifications, proximity to production, and enormous throughput volumes. Typical features include block storage structures with very high pallet throughput, supplemented by hazardous materials and ADR zones, in which every process step must be precisely traceable and documented.
Added to this is a wide variety of products: granulates, powders, liquids, and big bags differ not only in their properties but also in their handling, storage strategy, and safety requirements. Handling units are often heavy, bulky, and high-value. Mistakes immediately affect costs, safety, and delivery capability.
Many chemical companies operate production-related warehouses with just-in-time requirements, where material flows are closely interlinked with manufacturing. At the same time, there are often several locations with end-to-end SAP integration, which must ensure consistent data and transparent inventories across the board.
Incorrect loading, incorrect batch assignments, or inventory discrepancies are no trivial matter in this environment. Not only do they cause economic damage, but they can also have safety-critical consequences. This is precisely why the chemical industry needs intralogistics that guarantees process reliability, transparency, and speed in equal measure.
The challenges facing the chemical industry
Analog, manual processes
Especially with high throughput in block storage, time losses of a few seconds per movement occur. These can add up to six-figure sums per year.
Complex warehouse environments with high security requirements
Large indoor and outdoor storage areas, potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX), hazardous material areas, and varying temperature or safety requirements make it difficult to achieve consistent transparency. Dust, moisture, and chemical residues also pose additional challenges for conventional scanning and RFID infrastructure.
High product variability combined with critical batch management
Granulates, powders, liquids, big bags, or special compounds—different physical states and packaging forms require differentiated storage strategies. At the same time, each batch must remain clearly traceable. Even minor mix-ups can lead to production disruptions or safety risks.
The challenges facing the chemical industry
Analog, manual processes
Especially with high throughput in block storage, time losses of a few seconds per movement occur. These can add up to six-figure sums per year.
Complex warehouse environments with high security requirements
Large indoor and outdoor storage areas, potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX), hazardous material areas, and varying temperature or safety requirements make it difficult to achieve consistent transparency. Dust, moisture, and chemical residues also pose additional challenges for conventional scanning and RFID infrastructure.
High product variability combined with critical batch management
Granulates, powders, liquids, big bags, or special compounds—different physical states and packaging forms require differentiated storage strategies. At the same time, each batch must remain clearly traceable. Even minor mix-ups can lead to production disruptions or safety risks.
How can you improve your warehouse transparency?
Thanks to seamless integration, you can effortlessly transform your warehouses into transparent, efficient drivers of value creation.
Use case Chemical industry:
WES was implemented at a European petrochemical company in 2025.
Framework:
Before:
22-year-old RFID and barcode system with manual scanning processes.
After introduction of WES:
Safety and efficiency for all special forms of chemistry
The system is suitable for:
Where automated warehousing is implemented, the WES forms the technological basis for sustainable intralogistics in the chemical industry.
Personal consultation
Let’s talk about your warehouse logistics
We work with you to analyze processes, data, and objectives from pilot to rollout for each location.
Speak directly
