DHL Group to Invest Around €160 Million in France (2026–2027) to Strengthen Logistics Infrastructure and Accelerate Clean Energy Transition
DHL Group has announced a major investment plan of approximately €160 million in France for the 2026–2027 period, reinforcing its long-term strategy to deepen its presence in one of its most important European markets. The new commitment further strengthens DHL’s role in supporting France’s logistics ecosystem, industrial competitiveness, and sustainability goals.
With this latest round of funding, DHL Group’s total investments in France over the decade spanning 2018 to 2027 will approach nearly €900 million. This milestone highlights the company’s sustained focus on expanding infrastructure, modernizing operations, and supporting the transformation of supply chains across the country.
The announcement was made during the 9th edition of the Choose France Summit, an annual government-led initiative designed to attract and showcase international investment in France. The event has become a key platform for global companies to outline their long-term commitments to the French economy, particularly in areas such as innovation, green energy transition, and industrial development.
Long-Term Strategic Commitment to the French Market
France remains a strategically significant market for DHL Group, serving as both a major domestic logistics hub and a critical gateway for European and global trade flows. The company has steadily expanded its footprint in the country over several decades, building integrated logistics capabilities across its core divisions.
According to DHL Group, the latest investment plan reflects its ambition to strengthen supply chain resilience while supporting sustainable economic growth. The funds will be deployed across infrastructure expansion, fleet modernization, digital upgrades, and decarbonization initiatives.
Tobias Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of DHL Group, emphasized the importance of France within the company’s global network.
“France is a vital logistics hub at the heart of Europe and a key market for DHL Group,” Meyer said. “With this investment, we are strengthening our infrastructure, growing our capabilities, and accelerating our transition toward low-emissions logistics. This enables us to better support our customers’ growth while contributing to France’s competitiveness and sustainability ambitions. For customers who are serious about service and sustainability, DHL is the obvious choice. We have by far the highest share of sustainable aviation fuel and electric delivery vehicles in our industry.”
His remarks underline DHL’s dual focus on commercial expansion and environmental transformation, particularly in reducing emissions across air, road, and warehouse operations.
Expanding and Modernizing Logistics Infrastructure
The €160 million investment will be distributed across DHL’s major business divisions operating in France: DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Freight, and DHL Supply Chain. Each division will focus on targeted infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements aligned with its specific logistics segment.
DHL Express: Network Expansion and Electrification
DHL Express will allocate a significant portion of its investment toward fleet modernization and electrification. This includes expanding electric vehicle deployment, enhancing charging infrastructure, and upgrading operational equipment to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
The division will also continue to expand its network and facility footprint across France. Since 2018, DHL Express has completed 20 major real estate projects in the country. Among the most notable developments are the opening of the Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Hub in 2021 and the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Gateway in 2025. These facilities have significantly increased the company’s handling capacity and strengthened its ability to serve both domestic and international express delivery demand.
DHL Global Forwarding: Sustainable Freight Solutions
DHL Global Forwarding will focus on reducing the environmental impact of air and ocean freight operations. Key investments include the development of alternative fuel vehicles, upgrades to cargo handling equipment, and enhancements to warehousing infrastructure.
These improvements are designed to support the company’s broader strategy of decarbonizing global freight networks while maintaining efficiency and reliability in cross-border trade operations. The division continues to play a critical role in supporting French exporters and importers, particularly in industries requiring time-sensitive and temperature-controlled logistics solutions.
DHL Freight: Transition to Alternative Fuels
DHL Freight will continue its investment in low-emission transport technologies and infrastructure upgrades. The division has already completed six real estate projects in France since 2018 and plans to deliver an additional six projects by 2030.
Future investments will focus on integrating alternative fuel vehicles into its road transport fleet and improving operational facilities to support more sustainable freight movements across Europe. This includes the gradual shift toward biodiesel and other lower-carbon fuel options for heavy-duty transport operations.
DHL Supply Chain: Expanding Contract Logistics Capabilities
DHL Supply Chain will continue expanding its warehousing and contract logistics footprint across key regions in France, including southern Paris, Orléans, and Lyon. These expansions are designed to meet growing demand for third-party logistics (3PL) services across industries such as life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and e-commerce.
The division is also strengthening its fourth-party logistics (4PL) capabilities through its control tower operations in Toulouse. This centralized logistics management system enables end-to-end orchestration of complex supply chains involving multiple partners, providing customers with enhanced visibility, coordination, and efficiency.
Accelerating the Transition to Low-Carbon Logistics
A significant portion of the €160 million investment will be directed toward sustainability initiatives. DHL Group has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from logistics operations by 2050, and France is expected to play a key role in this transition.
The company’s sustainability strategy in France includes several major initiatives. These include expanding its fleet of electric delivery vehicles and installing additional charging infrastructure across operational sites. DHL is also increasing its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions from air transport, a critical component of its express delivery network.
In addition, DHL is deploying renewable energy solutions such as solar power systems across logistics facilities and transitioning heavy-duty transport operations toward low-carbon fuels, including biodiesel. Warehouses are also being upgraded with energy-efficient systems and electrified material handling equipment to reduce overall energy consumption.
These initiatives collectively aim to reduce the carbon footprint of logistics operations while maintaining high service reliability and operational efficiency.
Growth in High-Value and Emerging Sectors
Beyond infrastructure and sustainability investments, DHL Group is actively expanding its presence in several high-growth and high-value sectors in France. These include life sciences and healthcare, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and high-tech industries.
The company is also strengthening its services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and e-commerce businesses, both of which continue to drive significant demand for flexible, fast, and scalable logistics solutions.
Recent developments include new partnerships in the pharmaceutical and industrial sectors, as well as expanded fulfillment services tailored to e-commerce clients. These initiatives reflect DHL’s strategy of aligning its logistics capabilities with evolving customer needs across both traditional and digital commerce channels.
Deepening Long-Term Presence in France
DHL Group has maintained a continuous presence in France since 1976, steadily evolving from a cross-border delivery provider into a fully integrated logistics partner supporting domestic and international trade. Over nearly five decades, the company has built a strong operational network spanning express delivery, freight forwarding, contract logistics, and supply chain management.
With the latest investment announcement, DHL Group’s cumulative investment in France from 2018 to 2027 will reach nearly €900 million. This long-term financial commitment underscores the company’s confidence in France’s economic trajectory and its role as a central logistics hub within Europe.
Beyond infrastructure development, DHL’s presence in France contributes to regional economic growth through job creation, workforce development, and technology adoption. The company continues to invest in advanced logistics systems, sustainable transport technologies, and digital supply chain solutions to enhance competitiveness and efficiency.
DHL Group’s €160 million investment plan for 2026–2027 represents a continuation of its long-term strategy to modernize logistics infrastructure in France while accelerating the transition toward low-emissions operations. By strengthening its capabilities across express delivery, freight forwarding, contract logistics, and supply chain management, the company aims to support both domestic and international trade flows more efficiently and sustainably.
As France positions itself as a key hub for industrial competitiveness and green economic transformation, DHL’s expanded investment reinforces its role as a critical logistics partner in enabling growth, resilience, and sustainability across the country’s economy.
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