01. September 2026, 09:25 o'Clock
Article: Chemical transport for Röhm: Reliable by rail
DB Cargo Liquids & Bulk secured production supplies for Röhm in Wesseling during pipeline modernisation
In the first half of the year, DB Cargo Liquids & Bulk transported a chemical raw material for Röhm GmbH from Rotterdam-Botlek to Cologne-Godorf. The transport was required while an existing pipeline, normally used to supply the raw material, was being modernised. During the construction phase, which has now been completed, rail ensured reliable and predictable supply to the Wesseling Chemical Park site.
Each week, eight tank wagons were moved from Rotterdam-Botlek to Cologne-Godorf in the single-wagonload network. From there, a regional partner in the chemical park handled the last-mile delivery. Röhm’s own tank wagons were used and kept in continuous circulation. DB Cargo Deutschland and DB Cargo Nederland worked hand in hand to manage the transport.
Well-established processes for sensitive goods
The material transported was classified as dangerous goods, meaning that the requirements for safety and process quality were correspondingly high. DB Cargo’s Liquids & Bulk business unit specialises in this segment. With extensive dangerous goods expertise, it plans and manages transport operations according to clearly defined standards, ensures seamless monitoring and provides 24/7 emergency management.
Preparations had been under way since mid-September 2025. Two test shipments in autumn, together with close coordination with Röhm and the supplier, ensured a smooth start. Throughout the operation, Röhm received detailed tracking-and-tracing updates twice a day, including monitoring of the final mile.
Security of supply for industry
For Röhm, known for the PLEXIGLAS® brand and as a leading manufacturer in the methacrylates sector, the Wesseling site remained fully operational throughout the construction phase. Production continued without interruption – making an important contribution to customers in the automotive, construction and medical technology sectors.
“The rail link enabled us to ensure the supply of production materials to our Wesseling site at all times, even whilst the pipeline was being modernised,” emphasises Thiemo Koob, Category Manager Logistics at Röhm. “Transparent communication and close coordination gave us the necessary planning certainty.”
Network strengthened, climate protected
For DB Cargo, the project also strengthened the international single-wagonload network. “With the additional volumes, we were able to increase capacity on the route to the Netherlands and stabilise utilisation,” explains Patrick Hollerbach, Senior Account Manager at DB Cargo BTT. “This shows how flexible and efficient our system is, even when responding to temporary market requirements.”
The importance of rail becomes particularly clear when compared with road transport: moving the same volume would have required around 24 lorry journeys per week. Rail therefore relieved pressure on infrastructure and the environment – while supporting the decarbonisation of chemical logistics.
Rail as a strategic resilience option
Following completion of the construction work, regular pipeline supply has resumed. For DB Cargo Liquids & Bulk, this marks the end of the temporary rail operation, which at the same time shows the potential of rail as a resilient alternative in the event of infrastructure work or supply bottlenecks.
DB Cargo Liquids & Bulk has thus once again demonstrated its role as a reliable partner for the European chemical industry, supporting stable industrial value creation through safe, efficient and cross-border rail freight services.
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