The Unexpected Risk Facing Histology and Pathology Labs

Could your lab continue operating if alcohol, xylene, or formalin suddenly became difficult to get?

Most histology and pathology labs never really asked that question before Covid. Then almost overnight, many found themselves scrambling to secure enough solvent just to maintain normal operations, while some also struggled to get used solvent safely hauled away.

And nobody saw it coming.

While the immediate disruptions of Covid have passed, the underlying vulnerability has not. The next major disruption may look different, but many labs are still more exposed than they realize.

Why Some Labs Stayed Operational

One thing that became very clear during the pandemic was that some labs were far better positioned to handle those disruptions than others.

Labs already recycling their solvents onsite often had a level of stability and protection many other facilities simply did not have.

One histology lab in Oman told us they were able to remain operational during severe shortages because they were already recycling their solvents onsite. While other labs struggled to secure enough supply to continue normal operations, they already had a built-in buffer. In some cases, labs recycling solvents had already reduced solvent purchases by as much as 90%.

At the time, many labs viewed solvent recycling primarily as a way to reduce solvent purchase and disposal costs. But Covid exposed another benefit that few people had really considered before: resilience.

Solvent Supply Is More Fragile Than Most Labs Realize

Alcohol, xylene, and formalin are not immune to the same global pressures that affect fuel, shipping, manufacturing, and industrial supply chains.

While Covid may have been the wake-up call, it is unlikely to be the last event to disrupt supply chains. The specific cause may change, but the vulnerability remains the same.

For example, we were all shocked at the overnight price increases in gasoline due to the geopolitical instability in the Persian Gulf. When fuel prices spike, solvent pricing often follows. Suddenly, labs are dealing with unexpected cost increases, tighter supply, and uncertainty around whether enough solvent will be available to maintain normal operations.

Geopolitics are only one example. Manufacturing slowdowns, transportation bottlenecks, labor shortages, severe weather events, and broader supply chain disruptions can all impact the availability and pricing of laboratory solvents with very little warning.

Building a More Resilient Laboratory

The past several years have changed the way many labs think about solvent supply.

Labs that are less dependent on constant solvent deliveries are often better positioned to navigate shortages, price spikes, and supply chain disruptions when they happen.

For many labs, solvent recycling is no longer viewed as just a way to reduce purchase and disposal costs. It is also a way to build more stability and resilience into everyday operations.

You’ve already got enough to worry about. Your solvent supply should not be one of them.