Lack of reliable access and sufficient supply of chemicals can undermine laboratory operations, warns Erica Hirsch. Ensuring smooth logistics and well documented sourcing is a must.
The security of supply in lab chemicals is fundamental to supporting laboratory operations across a range of sectors, including biopharma, academia, government research and analytical labs. Even the smallest disruption can cause major delays in timelines and risk wasting valuable resources. Often, these disruptions in essential research or production can be preempted by reliable access to necessary chemicals, maintaining a continuous workflow that keeps critical projects on track.
Labs need to be confident that they will receive the right chemicals at the right time and in the right amount. In a market where many chemical companies sell comparable products, the quality of these chemicals and the reliability of their supply can set one supplier apart from another. Securing a robust and uninterrupted pipeline of materials is not just a logistical challenge but a strategic priority. If managed well, it can help labs avoid costly stoppages and maintain progress toward their scientific and commercial goals.
Supply chain challenges
Unforeseen supply chain disruptions can create serious setbacks for labs, sometimes halting research or production entirely. Common examples include delays in transportation, shortages of raw materials, sudden regulatory changes, or issues with customs clearance. For example, in battery research, the availability of critical minerals like cobalt is highly dependent on the economic stability of the regions where they are mined. We are also increasingly seeing that natural disasters and proposed regulations, whether in the form of export restrictions or emergency legislation, can impact global supply chains in significant ways.
Suppliers who build robust supply chain strategies, such as maintaining inventories of high demand chemicals and diversifying their sources, play an important role in helping labs mitigate these risks.
By anticipating the needs of their customers, suppliers can remain agile and better prepared for unexpected surges in demand or bottlenecks in logistics.
A secure chemical supply chain also requires enough flexibility to fulfill specialised requests, recognising that many labs need customised chemicals to meet unique research requirements. By meeting these demands, suppliers allow labs to maintain their workflows without interruption, preserving momentum for critical projects.
Standards for quality and consistency
The ability to consistently deliver lab chemicals on time and to the required quality is fundamental to preventing interruptions in research or industrial processes. Even minor delays can stall entire projects, causing substantial setbacks for labs that may be operating within tight deadlines.
Suppliers who prioritise efficiency and dependable delivery schedules enable labs to run seamless operations. This includes being equipped to support customers that are scaling up, scaling down, or switching chemical goals, sometimes even needing next-day delivery to stay on track. Suppliers that can efficiently deliver chemicals in all weights – from nanogram to ton – can help ensure the evolving needs of a lab don’t impact timelines. Providing customised chemicals reliably and quickly is another essential capability, as labs frequently update or refine their research objectives and need to adapt at short notice. These customised chemicals are particularly important in oligonucleotide research, where specialised chemical formulations are required.
Securing a robust and uninterrupted pipeline of materials is not just a logistical challenge but a strategic priority
More and more, suppliers are integrating automated solutions and AI into operations. For example, some suppliers use AI to check and double-check that the chemicals being shipped are correct. Automated solutions can ensure the chemicals are the ones customers have asked for, are properly labelled and in the right quantities, and because they’re automated, they can help reduce opportunities for manual error.
While many suppliers offer similar chemical products, consistent quality over time builds trust and fosters long-term partnerships with customers. Through stringent quality control, suppliers reinforce their role as dependable partners and contribute to scientific integrity and reproducible results.
Transparency and traceability
Our world continues to become more global, and so does our supply chain. As complexity increases, labs need greater visibility into the origins of their chemicals and the reliability of sourcing channels. Transparency regarding where chemicals come from and how they move through the supply chain builds trust, allowing customers to make informed decisions about potential supply risks. This visibility into the supply chain also empowers labs to better prepare for contingencies or changes in supply availability, helping them avoid operational setbacks. In the best-case scenario, during unforeseen changes, labs would have the ability to adjust their operations or timelines proactively, rather than reactively.
Clear communication from suppliers about potential disruptions, such as global shortages or shipping delays, is essential for labs to plan their activities in a measured, strategic way. Regular updates and proactive notifications about any emerging supply risks allow labs to explore alternative solutions or modify their project timelines, minimising downtime and leading to continuity. Some suppliers can provide supply chain management support and function as an extension of a lab’s own team. They can provide alternative sourcing assistance and inventory management raw material sampling and QA/QC inspection. This transparency and support are key factors in maintaining customer trust, allowing for the continued flow of essential materials and, overall, making the supplier a reliable partner.
Protecting future research and discoveries
A secure and flexible chemical supply chain is essential for labs to maintain uninterrupted operations and achieve their research objectives. Suppliers who can emphasise quality, customer relationships and adaptability set themselves apart in an increasingly competitive market. As lab needs change, whether due to changing research scopes, fluctuating production levels or external factors, having a reliable supply of chemicals allows these shifts to be managed without derailing critical work.
Through robust supply chain strategies, consistent quality and transparency about potential risks, suppliers become indispensable partners in advancing research and development. When labs have a reliable stream of essential materials, they can focus on pushing the boundaries of innovation and making meaningful scientific breakthroughs.
Erica Hirsch is president, laboratory chemicals division at Thermo Fisher Scientific
