Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) Systems for Life Sciences and Biopharma

Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) is an automated cleaning method used to clean internal product-contact surfaces of process equipment without dismantling or manual intervention. In life sciences and biopharma facilities, CIP is now standard wherever cleanliness must be demonstrated and documented under GMP and regulatory expectations.

CIP systems reduce cross-contamination risk, remove product residues, and control bioburden and endotoxins, helping to maintain product quality and patient safety. Because cycles are automated and recipe driven, they provide repeatable, validated, and traceable cleaning performance that supports both batch release and inspection readiness.

Core principles of CIP in life sciences

At its core, a CIP process pumps a defined sequence of rinses and cleaning solutions through closed equipment trains such as bioreactors, fermenters, vessels, and transfer lines. This cleaning is carried out in place, removing the need to break sterile boundaries or dismantle complex assemblies between batches.

Most modern CIP designs follow the TACT model, which balances Time, Action (turbulent flow or spray impact), Chemical concentration, and Temperature to achieve the required level of cleanliness. Optimising these parameters shortens cycle times while ensuring all product-contact surfaces reach the target cleaning conditions.

Typical applications in biopharma

CIP is widely applied to bioreactors, fermenters, media and buffer preparation vessels, and product hold tanks in upstream and downstream bioprocessing. It is also used for filtration skids, chromatography systems, filling lines, and associated transfer pipework, hoses, and valves in aseptic and high-care areas.

Multi-product facilities rely on robust CIP programmes during product changeovers, between campaign runs, and after maintenance interventions to prevent cross-contamination between different molecules or batches. In hybrid facilities that combine single-use technologies with stainless steel systems, validated CIP and SIP cycles are key to making re-usable equipment practical and compliant.

Regulatory and GMP context

In regulated life science manufacturing, CIP underpins compliance with GMP by delivering documented, reproducible cleaning results to pre-defined, risk-based residue limits. Automated recording of time, temperature, flow, and conductivity or chemical concentration provides the evidence required for validation, ongoing verification, and inspections.

Regulators expect manufacturers to use science- and risk-based approaches to cleaning validation, including worst-case studies, soiling trials, and periodic requalification of CIP cycles. CIP systems and connected equipment are typically designed to ASME BPE and related sanitary standards to remove deadlegs, ensure full coverage, and support cleanability claims.


SUNCOMBE & CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems

Benefits over manual cleaning

Manual cleaning of complex stainless steel bioprocess equipment is labour-intensive, variable, and difficult to validate consistently across shifts and campaigns. CIP replaces this with automated, documented cycles that deliver the same, validated result every time, reducing reliance on operator technique.

Key benefits include reduced downtime through shorter, optimised cleaning cycles, improved safety by limiting operator exposure to chemicals and confined spaces, and lower overall cleaning costs through controlled use and recovery of chemicals and water. By minimising residue and bioburden risk between batches, CIP directly supports product quality and reduces the likelihood of deviations or batch rejections.

Suncombe’s experience with CIP

Suncombe is a specialist in cleaning and critical process systems and has supplied CIP solutions to the biopharma sector, laboratories, and research institutes for decades. Its portfolio includes PureCIP and MobileCIP systems that can be integrated with PureVessel bioprocess vessels to provide pre-validated CIP and SIP cycles.[9][11][^8]

These pre-validated combinations allow each vessel to be recognised by the automation system, which then selects the appropriate cleaning and sterilisation recipe and generates an electronic or paper batch report compliant with 21 CFR Part 11. The approach supports hybrid facilities where reusable stainless steel equipment must coexist with single-use technologies while maintaining sterility and avoiding cross-contamination.

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Mobile CIP & Static CIP System – The Differences

Clean In Place systems may be fixed in one location or mobile so as to facilitate several points of use. They may be designed as “total loss” systems, where the washing media is used once only before passing to drain or “recovery” systems, which recycle some of the washing media for part of the cycle.

Mobile CIP & WIP System

A mobile CIP system is a total loss Clean-in-Place system, where the entire system is equipped with wheels to move to its point of use. Its special design and development meet the ASME BPE standards essential to the BioPharma industry. Mobile CIP & Wash-in-Place (WIP) can be operated manually or automatically to clean processing equipment such as tanks, vessels, vats, fermenters, mixers, processors, pipework, valves, isolators, mills, coaters, filters, pumps, dryers, and fillers. Our Mobile CIP product range features multiple variants, namely CIP Trolley, CIP Washer, Mobile CIP®, and MobileCIPOneTM offering unique benefits to each client.

Static CIP System

Effective cleaning of equipment and piping systems is easy when using a Static CIP system. Our Static CIP systems services in the UK are designed to clean and sanitise equipment and piping in place without the need for time-consuming disassembly. Our Static CIP system design facilitates the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas within the processing equipment. These systems are designed to minimise the use of water and chemicals while keeping precise control over the cleaning parameters including the cleaning solution concentration and contact time. Optimise your operational efficiency by reducing downtime through our automatic, efficient, and precise Static CIP systems. Read More Offering unique benefits to each client, our Static CIP product variants include PureCIP, CIPOne, CIP+Plus, and Satellite. Check out our CIP Selection Guide to make an informed decision on your CIP systems.

Offering unique benefits to each client, our Static CIP product variants include PureCIP, CIPOne, CIP+Plus, and Satellite.

Check out our CIP Selection Guide to make an informed decision on your CIP systems.

CIP in hybrid and multi-use facilities

In hybrid bioprocess facilities, stainless steel vessels and equipment remain attractive for their robustness, heat transfer, and lifecycle cost, but require reliable CIP and SIP strategies to manage cleaning complexity. Pre-validated CIP solutions allow operators to gain the benefits of re-usable systems without compromising on compliance or sterility assurance.

By combining modular, certified vessels with application-specific CIP equipment, manufacturers can standardise cleaning across multiple assets, simplify validation, and generate consistent electronic batch records for every cleaning cycle. This is particularly valuable in multi-product sites, where rapid changeovers and predictable, validated cleaning are essential to meeting production schedules and regulatory expectations.

Cleaning-in-Place systems have become a cornerstone of controlled manufacturing in life sciences and biopharma, enabling automated, validated cleaning of complex stainless steel equipment without dismantling. By tightly controlling and documenting each step of the cleaning recipe, CIP reduces cross-contamination risk, supports product quality, and underpins GMP compliance.

Vendors with deep experience in both process and cleaning system design, such as Suncombe, can help life science organisations implement CIP solutions that integrate with hybrid facilities, simplify validation, and provide confidence that every batch starts from a proven, clean state.

EXPLORE OUR CIP SYSTEM SELECTION GUIDE

EXPLORE OUR CIP SYSTEM SELECTION GUIDE

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How a CIP cycle works

A typical CIP cycle for a bioreactor or vessel starts with a pre-rinse using purified water to remove bulk residues and wet the surfaces. This is followed by an alkaline wash, often based on sodium hydroxide, circulated or sprayed at elevated temperature to dissolve and remove product, media, and biofilm soils.

Depending on product and residue type, the sequence may also include an acid wash to remove mineral or inorganic deposits, intermediate rinses to prevent carryover, and a final rinse with purified or WFI water to meet conductivity or TOC endpoints. Air blows or drain and dry steps can then prepare equipment for sterilisation-in-place (SIP) or for the next production batch.

Design considerations for effective CIP

Effective CIP starts at the equipment design stage, where vessels, piping, valves, and instruments must be configured for cleanability as well as process performance. Typical requirements include correctly placed spray devices, self-draining pipework, minimal deadlegs, and hygienic, crevice-free connections.

CIP systems themselves must be sized to deliver sufficient flow, pressure, and temperature to all points in the circuit while avoiding cavitation or stagnation. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are used to automate the sequence, interlocks, and data capture, and to provide flexible, recipe-based cleaning for different products or equipment trains.


Testimonials

“ Suncombe stand-out because they are specialists in the items and elements they produce. If they say they’re going to do something, they will do it… In summary, Suncombe are experts in what they do, and they’re great people to work with. ”

John Draysey Lofthouse of Fleetwood

“ Suncombe have always been very helpful, particularly during the commissioning phase, and if we have an occasional operation problem, they are very quick to respond. I would certainly recommend them to other professionals. ”

Simon Caidan Director of Safety, Health and Sustainability, The Francis Crick Institute

“ Suncombe's major strength is their understanding our business… They are very, very accommodating. Very knowledgeable. Always there to explain what I wasn't sure of; clarifying things. Great experience. Great people to work with. ”

Peter Timotheou Operations Director, Tims Dairy Ltd

“ I would not hesitate to recommend or to use Suncombe again in the future. Throughout this project from design to build and test they delivered at every single milestone in terms of date and budget. Working with Dave, Steve, Mark, and the build team was a joy throughout what was a very technically difficult project to execute. For me Suncombe operate with integrity, with trust and deliver what they promise. ”

Mark Hodgson Process Design Lead, GSK Ulvertson

“...the Suncombe engineers were incredibly highly regarded by the client ...they somehow managed to keep to the original time schedule, which was a credit to their staff and their project management skills. They are a really friendly team, and I look forward to working with them again. ”

Fearghal Downey Hyde Engineering + Consulting

“ As well as one project for Roche in Shanghai, we’ve worked with Suncombe on projects for Novartis in Switzerland, and most recently in Spain. The communication was good. Their documentation was brilliant. …if you asked me whether I'd work with Suncombe again – I’d say ‘definitely’ ”

Andrew Lemaire Director, DEC Group

“ We're happy with the machine [the washer], the performance, the build quality, everything. It ticks all the boxes and it does what’s required. It’s robust and reliable, and just ticks along in the background, which is exactly what we need. ”

John Large Technician, BCM Specials

“ I worked closely with Suncombe to develop and manufacture wash booths for several secondary pharmaceutical applications. Manufacturing workmanship has always been superb and occasional quality issues addressed quickly and efficiently. Management commitment and support is second to none. ”

Peter Slee-Smith Operations Director, Matcon (2001 to 2008)

“ It's definitely the most complex filtration, cleaning and sterilisation process I’ve worked on. Their technology knowledge was very impressive and their ability to build bespoke units was very impressive too. Also, I think just the friendliness of the team really helped; it was a nice group of guys to work with. ”

James Finn CEng MIChemE, Senior Process Engineer at Integrated Project Services Ltd

“Suncombe have been excellent. They’ve supported us with aftersales servicing and calibration needs... They’ve recently assisted us with a non-Suncombe skid, too, which has been a great help in extending the life of this asset. I always get a quick response to any requests for help. A very professional and courteous service.”

Graeme Forbes - Manufacturing Engineer - Thermo Fisher Scientific

Despite what some might say, it is possible to have fond memories of HAZOPs and if the Suncombe team are attending you know they will have excellent technical representation from their team which really makes everyone’s lives a little easier 😃.

Tony Smith - Animal Services Capability Leader at The Pirbright Institute (retired)

Our good friend “Google” helped me track down “Suncombe” and that got me in contact with the team. With the little information I had, they were able to track the original installation that had taken place in the UK back in the early 2000’s. From there they were able to trace all the paperwork and offer us it on as electronic documents which enabled us to get it to the engineers in Malaysia in double quick time. We were certainly having a bad day but Suncombe turned it into a very good day.

Tim Withers General Manager, First Grade International Limited

Cleaning In Place FAQs

Cleaning in Place, or CIP, is a method that cleans and sanitises equipment and pipelines without dismantling them, by circulating a cleaning solution through the system. Suncombe is one of the leading providers of clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning services in the UK and globally.
CIP is widely used in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food & beverage, cosmetics, dairy and other regulated hygienic sectors where hygiene and equipment uptime are of utmost importance.
We design and manufacture clean-in-place systems to clean vital industrial and processing equipment such as tanks, vessels, fermenters, mixers, pipework, valves, filters, pumps, isolators and reactors without disassembly and with limited manual involvement.
Depending on the type of equipment and soil to be removed, we use water mixed with detergents, acids or alkalis as cleaning solutions.
Static CIP is fixed installation cleaning equipment, while Mobile CIP is a portable, “plug-and-use” skid allowing cleaning at different points in a facility.