Scaling Logistics for Growing Biotech Labs: Challenges and Strategies
Biotechnology is a thriving, rapidly evolving sector that has become one of the UK’s most dynamic drivers of scientific progress and economic value. From early-stage R&D to commercial-scale operations, biotech laboratories are scaling faster than ever before. However, with growth comes complexity—especially in logistics.
For small and mid-sized biotech labs, managing logistics isn’t simply about getting samples from point A to point B. It’s about ensuring temperature integrity, regulatory compliance, environmental responsibility, and most importantly, preserving the integrity of critical materials. As biotech labs grow, so too do their logistics needs. Scaling these systems strategically is crucial to future success.
At Arca BioLogistics, we work closely with growing biotech organisations to manage this evolution with tailored, sustainable and reliable logistics solutions. In this article, we explore the primary challenges scaling biotech labs face and the key strategies to overcome them.
The Hidden Challenge of Growth: Logistics Complexity
In the early days, many biotech labs can rely on local couriers or internal teams to handle shipments. But as operations expand—moving into clinical partnerships, international collaborations, or commercial applications—the logistical requirements increase exponentially.
Common scaling challenges include:
Maintaining temperature control across longer distances and durations
Navigating international customs and regulations
Managing increased volume of shipments
Handling a greater diversity of materials, each with specific requirements
Ensuring compliance across jurisdictions
Without a logistics partner who understands the intricacies of biotech, these challenges can create bottlenecks that limit innovation, delay results, and increase costs.
1. Invest in Scalable, Sustainable Packaging Solutions
As your lab grows, so does the environmental footprint of your logistics operations. It’s no longer feasible—or responsible—to rely on single-use packaging or discardable temperature control systems.
At Arca BioLogistics, we support scaling labs with:
Reusable Packaging – Our durable, temperature-controlled packaging is suitable for repeat use, reducing waste and long-term costs.
Multi-Temperature Capabilities – Whether shipping frozen reagents, ambient materials, or chilled samples, our packaging maintains stable environments across all temperature ranges.
Sustainable Loggers – All our temperature and location trackers are reusable and recoverable.
Carbon Offset Options – We offer transit carbon offsetting as standard, helping you align with green lab initiatives.
By adopting scalable packaging solutions early, your lab builds a logistics model that not only grows with you but supports your environmental commitments.
2. Build Reliability Into Your Supply Chain
Reliability becomes a cornerstone of success as your biotech lab grows. Delays in customs, inconsistent temperature management, or unreliable delivery times can have disastrous consequences—ruining samples, invalidating research, or even delaying clinical milestones.
Arca BioLogistics provides consistency through:
Validated Transport Routes – Minimise risk with trusted, optimised paths.
Predictable Customs Processing – We help pre-clear customs and manage all documentation.
Arca Live Portal – Full transparency via real-time shipment tracking, temperature monitoring, and status updates.
Consistent Booking and Transit Times – Helping your team plan and schedule with confidence.
We know that peace of mind in biotech logistics isn’t optional—it’s essential.
3. Focus on Time and Efficiency
One of the biggest growing pains for biotech labs is time. As shipment volumes increase, more staff are pulled into managing logistics—many of whom are scientists or operations personnel, not logistics professionals.
The results?
Productivity declines
Scientific focus is lost
Delays and errors increase
With Arca BioLogistics, we simplify the entire process. Our clients report:
84% Reduction in Pre-Shipment Workload – Thanks to our Arca Live Portal and expert support.
Streamlined Documentation and Scheduling – Reduce email threads, manual entries, and form errors.
Centralised Logistics Management – One partner, one portal, one point of contact.
As your lab scales, every saved minute matters. By removing logistics complexity from your team’s workload, we enable you to focus on innovation.
4. Prepare for International Expansion Early
Many growing biotech labs don’t plan to go global—but collaborations, grants, and trial partnerships often push them into international shipping sooner than expected.
Being unprepared for this shift can mean:
Border delays
Non-compliance fines
Lost or degraded materials
We help labs prepare by:
Standardising Processes for Cross-Border Shipments
Training Teams on Regulatory Requirements
Managing Pre-Approvals and Permits
Providing Multilingual and Regional Support
Our global logistics network and regulatory expertise ensure your international growth is seamless, not stressful.
5. Create a Scalable Logistics Infrastructure
The best time to build a scalable logistics system is before you desperately need one. Our logistics infrastructure scales with you:
Modular Services – Start with domestic deliveries, expand to international, add storage or regulatory support as needed.
Integrated Platform – Manage all shipments, documents, and data in one place.
Flexible Capacity – As your shipping volume grows, we grow with you.
With the right partner, your logistics becomes an asset—not a liability—during scale-up phases.
Partnering with Arca for Strategic Biotech Growth
Scaling a biotech lab is an exciting journey. But as operations grow, so do the complexities of moving critical materials around the world. Temperature-sensitive, time-critical and highly valuable – these are not just shipments. They are potential discoveries, future medicines, and world-changing research in transit.
By partnering with Arca BioLogistics, you gain more than a shipping provider. You gain a strategic logistics partner who understands the stakes, values your time, and shares your commitment to innovation and sustainability.