Global logistics in transition

An ambitious approach to green ammonia production is currently being developed off the Portuguese Atlantic coast. The Dutch start-up SwitcH2 B.V. is planning a floating production platform (Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO) designed to produce fuel directly at sea. The facility is expected to include a vessel the size of an oil tanker (very large crude carrier, VLCC), where hydrogen produced from seawater using a 300 MW PEM electrolyser will be combined with nitrogen from the air to synthesise ammonia. With a potential annual production capacity of up to 243,000 tonnes, the project ranks among the largest of its kind worldwide. Technically, the offshore installation requires highly automated control and monitoring systems, robust electrical infrastructure, redundant systems – such as duplicated energy components – and comprehensive cybersecurity architecture. Companies involved include ABB (automation), Ohmium (electrolysis), and thyssenkrupp Uhde (ammonia synthesis).

High humidity, corrosive saltwater, and mechanical stress caused by sea conditions place extreme demands on control systems, sensors and power electronics – components that must operate reliably over the long term in offshore installations such as the SwitcH2 platform. Wevo potting compounds and sealants are designed specifically for such conditions.

At the same time, logistics and energy companies are investing in scaling up SAF production. In 2025, DHL signed one of the largest agreements of its kind to date: more than 240,000 tonnes of SAF will be procured from US energy company Phillips 66 over three years for air freight operations on the North American west coast. This would result in CO₂ savings of around 737,000 tonnes – equivalent to approximately 2,400 scheduled flights from Los Angeles to Frankfurt.

The aerospace group Airbus plans to complement conventional fuels and SAF with electrical energy from batteries or fuel cells. The propulsion technology required for this is being developed by leading manufacturers. Bosch Aviation Technology, a subsidiary of Robert Bosch AG, presented a 1.4-litre aircraft engine converted to hydrogen operation in 2025. In a feasibility study, it achieved performance levels close to those of the original petrol engine.

The Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck is expected to achieve ranges of well over 1,000 kilometres at full load. Daimler Truck unveiled the liquid hydrogen-powered fuel cell truck in 2025. Building on proven components such as fuel cells from the southern German manufacturer cellcentric, the overall system was further developed specifically for safety, compact design, and compatibility with standard semi-trailers.

Fuel cells, high-voltage batteries, and electronic components used in trucks and aircraft place high demands on the potting compounds, adhesives and sealants. Wevo brings decades of experience from the automotive sector to this field: electrical potting resins based on polyurethane, epoxy resin and silicone are specifically designed for these applications. The materials not only enable reliable protection of sensitive components, but also support partially or fully automated manufacturing processes.

In addition to propulsion technology, DB Cargo AG, Europe’s largest rail freight operator, is pursuing innovative automation projects. Together with the two Bosch subsidiaries, Bosch Engineering GmbH and ITK Engineering GmbH, DB Cargo has developed a fully automated shunting locomotive ready for series production. It will be deployed in marshalling yards to break up freight trains, sort wagons and assemble new trains – tasks that have so far largely been performed by manually controlled “hump locomotives”.

As digitalisation advances, the technical systems of individual freight wagons are also coming into focus. Applications such as Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) or automated loading and unloading systems require an onboard power supply – a function that is often lacking today. Technology group Schaeffler AG offers one possible solution in the form of retrofittable axle generators, which provide an autonomous power supply for electronic systems and lay the foundation for further automation and digitalisation.

Technology as a driver – Wevo supports the transformation

The logistics sector is in the midst of structural change. “In 2025/26, the ‘triple transformation’ of digitalisation, sustainability and resilience will remain the central guiding principle for future-proof value chains,” says Wolfgang Kersten, emeritus professor and former head of the Institute of Logistics and Corporate Management at Hamburg University of Technology. “These three pillars form the foundation of long-term competitiveness and adaptability in value chains.”

Kersten is among the authors of the study series “Trends and Strategies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management”, published by Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL; German Logistics Association). The results show that measurable progress has been achieved in all three transformation areas in recent years, despite challenging geopolitical and regulatory conditions. The sector is demonstrating momentum, determination to shape change, and future viability.

In this innovation-driven environment, Wevo supports projects from the outset upon request, providing expertise in material development and application. In close collaboration with customers and partners, tailored solutions are developed to reliably protect sensitive electronics as well as energy storage and drive systems. As a result, the manufacturer of customised potting compounds, adhesives and sealants plays a decisive role in turning technological progress into practical reality.