By Maria Kalamatas
Leipzig, GERMANY —
Alibaba Logistics has officially launched its first 100% automated fulfillment center in Europe, a 50,000-square-meter facility located in Leipzig, Germany. The move is part of a broader effort by the Chinese tech giant to establish itself as a dominant logistics force on the continent.
Operational since late April, the facility can process up to 800,000 packages per day, relying exclusively on autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic picking arms, dynamic shelf systems, and an AI-based sorting and dispatch system. No human workers are required on the warehouse floor during core shifts—a first for Alibaba outside of China.
“Europe needed its moment in smart logistics,” said Junwei Zhang, VP of Alibaba Logistics Europe. “Leipzig gives us the platform to show what zero-touch warehousing can look like, even in highly regulated environments.”
A strategic launchpad for the EU
Located near DHL’s European air hub, the Leipzig facility gives Alibaba’s cross-border platform, AliExpress, direct access to Germany, Poland, France, and the Netherlands—all within 24 to 48 hours delivery time. This automation also helps Alibaba meet new EU sustainability and labor compliance standards without compromising scale.
“We can now offer sub-48-hour delivery across Western Europe without adding pressure to traditional logistics partners,” Zhang added.
Labor unions react cautiously
While the facility is drawing praise for its innovation, labor unions in Saxony have raised concerns about job displacement and long-term employment impacts.
“We understand progress, but zero human involvement sends a message,” said Karsten Lehmann, spokesperson for Ver.di, Germany’s trade union for services. “We urge Alibaba to invest in local training and upskilling programs alongside this rollout.”
Alibaba responded by announcing a €5 million regional digital logistics scholarship fund for local universities and technical schools.
Redefining e-commerce logistics efficiency
Analysts see the facility as a defining moment in European e-commerce logistics. “This goes beyond speed—it’s about consistency, adaptability, and end-to-end data capture,” said Eva Wirth, Lead Analyst at EuroCommerce Insight. “Other platforms will be forced to accelerate their own automation timelines.”
What’s next: Paris, Milan, Warsaw
Alibaba confirmed that additional automated hubs are in the planning phase for France, Italy, and Poland, with announcements expected before Q4. The company is also exploring partnerships with local last-mile providers for low-emission urban delivery in cities like Amsterdam and Madrid.
As Wirth concluded, “What Leipzig proves is that automation is no longer a future edge—it’s today’s baseline.”
