The UK’s pharmaceutical and life sciences industry is accelerating and evolving through innovation, decentralised clinical trials (DCT’s), and increasing regulatory demands. One operational capability is rising in strategic importance: temperature-controlled storage. No longer just a logistics function, it is becoming core to risk management, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth.
According to the Cold Chain Federation’s 2024 Report, approximately £2.7 billion worth of all pharmaceutical products produced and sold by UK manufacturers require cold chain logistics. With biologics and advanced therapies on the rise, there is growing pressure to ensure these products are stored in conditions that protect efficacy, support traceability, and meet evolving MHRA and EU regulations.
Meeting the Rising Bar for Compliance and Inspection Readiness
Regulatory bodies such as the MHRA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) mandate strict environmental control for pharmaceutical storage, encompassing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliance. Whether storing vaccines, investigational medicinal products (IMPs), or commercial biologics, maintaining validated conditions and full traceability is essential.
Contemporary cold-chain designs must provide fail safe redundancy, real time monitoring and audit ready reporting. Engineered to meet these exacting demands, the Super°box range, developed by Dawsongroup tcs reliably delivers these solutions. The units include GAMP5-audited systems, calibrated and sealed 2K2 temperature probes, and fully validated data logging aligned with 21 CFR Part 11 standards—ensuring full traceability and inspection readiness.
Additionally, remote access via GPRS-enabled systems allows for secure, real-time monitoring and alerts—ensuring regulatory adherence even across decentralised teams.
Stability Beyond Temperature: Humidity, Safety & Uptime
While temperature control is vital, environmental stability in pharmaceutical storage requires managing airflow and operational continuity, it may also stipulate humidity conformity. Many high-value products—particularly biologics and sterile formulations—are sensitive to even minor fluctuations in moisture or inconsistent air distribution.
Dawsongroup tcs solutions support a standard temperature range from -40°C to +50°C, accommodating everything from plasma products, vaccines to ambient clinical supplies. Optional humidity control is available to support cleanroom and stability testing environments. Each unit features dual refrigeration circuits that auto-switch in case of failure, ensuring uninterrupted uptime—critical when dealing with high-value or irreplaceable inventories.
Engineered for Fire Safety: PIR Insulation with LPCB & FM Certification
In addition to temperature performance, risk mitigation is now a major concern across pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution. The Super°box is constructed with Polyisocyanurate (PIR) insulated panels and meets FM and LPCB “Red Book” listed fire safety resistance certifications. This level of protection is not only critical to protect high-value pharmaceutical products but is increasingly mandated by insurers and underwriters.
Designed for Modern, Mobile Pharma Operations
As decentralised trials and logistics movement efficiencies expand, and manufacturing becomes more modular, cold storage infrastructure must evolve. Pharma businesses increasingly require storage that can be deployed quickly, scaled flexibly, and relocated without downtime. Temporary GMP resources, facility expansions, and regional distribution points are just a few areas where agility is needed.
Modular cold chain facilities—particularly on a commercial hire model—offers flexibility without the capital commitment of fixed infrastructure. Customers have cited that having these units on-site has supported both continuity and rapid business growth, giving them “a good place for the next 2–3 years” as they scale.
One pharmaceutical client recently noted that without this kind of storage, they “couldn’t operate,” citing a jump from 8 to 44 pallets of chilled products – supporting a projected revenue leap from £170 million to £750 million.
Another praised the deployment and delivery performance, calling the units “brilliant” in condition and operation, while highlighting how communication and support from the Dawsongroup team made the difference.
Supporting Sustainability Goals
Pharma companies are also under increasing pressure to report their carbon footprint, especially around Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions – direct fuel use and indirect energy consumption. Cold storage units fitted with Sigma Refrigeration systems help reduce energy use and Global Warming Potential (GWP), while also meeting updated F-gas regulations. For pharmaceutical companies balancing compliance with environmental commitments, this integration of energy efficiency into regulated infrastructure supports both goals.
Closing the Gap Between Storage and Strategy
Whether it is to support decentralised trials, expand GMP-compliant capacity, or secure business continuity for temperature-sensitive medicines, cold storage is now a strategic capability. By combining regulatory compliance, operational resilience, and flexibility, cold storage solutions such as the Super°box allow pharmaceutical companies to future-proof their supply chains without compromising on quality or compliance.
Need a compliant cold storage solution for your pharma operations?
Dawsongroup tcs explores how to support your regulatory, operational, and sustainability goals. Contact us today.
