{"id":41729,"date":"2021-02-17T13:09:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T13:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/?p=41729"},"modified":"2026-04-06T21:52:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T21:52:34","slug":"vergleich-der-umweltauswirkungen-von-einweg-bioreaktoren-und-bioreaktoren-aus-rostfreiem-stahl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/de\/articles\/comparing-the-environmental-impacts-of-single-use-and-stainless-steel-bioreactors\/","title":{"rendered":"Einweg-Bioreaktoren im Vergleich zu Edelstahl f\u00fcr die Umwelt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;@media (max-width: 375px) {||  .et-db #et-boc .et-l .et_pb_post_content_0_tb_body {||  width:100% !important;||  }}&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;2em||0px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Comparing the Environmental Impacts of Single-Use Bioreactors vs. Stainless Steel&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;selector h1 {||  text-wrap: pretty;||}&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/article-environmental-impact-bioreactors.webp&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; force_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;1.5rem||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;selector img {||  object-fit: cover;||}&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221; module_id=&#8221;article-hero-image&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#2A3B47&#8243; divider_weight=&#8221;2.5px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; height=&#8221;0px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;3rem||3rem||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||true|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]Single\u2011use plastics for consumer products have long been the bane of the environmental movement, with grocery bags and straws as obvious examples. Single\u2011use plastics in bioprocessing, however, provide significant environmental advantages compared to the stainless steel alternatives. In addition to providing pharmaceutical companies with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/industries\/bioreactor-fermentation\/\">flexible, scalable solutions<\/a>, single\u2011use bioprocessing equipment has proven to be a much more environmentally\u2011friendly option than reusable stainless steel bioreactors. This holds true for scales ranging from small pilot facilities to 20,000\u00a0L bioreactor skids.\n\nIn this article, we look at environmental impacts of single\u00a0use bioreactors vs. their stainless steel counterparts:\n<ol>\n\t<li>Review literature on the environmental impacts of bioprocessing.<\/li>\n\t<li>Examine wastewater streams as an example of the environmental impact of clean\u2011in\u2011place\/steam\u2011in\u2011place (CIP\/SIP).<\/li>\n\t<li>Discuss process intensification as a means of reducing the overall environmental impact of bioprocessing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Studies on environmental impacts of bioprocessing&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]In this section, we will look at two studies that show single&#8209;use bioreactors are significantly more environmentally friendly than stainless steel reactors. Both of these studies make the following assumptions:\n<ul>\n\t<li>CIP\/SIP between each batch requires a standard amount of energy and supporting equipment<\/li>\n\t<li>Single&#8209;use plastics are being compared to multiuse stainless steel<\/li>\n\t<li>Single&#8209;use components arrive at the pharmaceutical manufacturing site pre&#8209;sterilized by irradiation<\/li>\n\t<li>Single&#8209;use components are disposed of via hazardous waste incineration (some studies assume heat recovery; it is not shown to have a significant impact on the overall energy costs)<\/li>\n<\/ul>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Study 1: Stainless steel bioreactors are more harmful to humans and ecosystems&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<strong>Purpose &#038; design:<\/strong> A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biopharminternational.com\/view\/environmental-lifecycle-assessment-single-use-and-conventional-process-technology-comprehensive-envi\" target=\"_blank\">2014 study by GE Healthcare<\/a> (now Cytiva) and published in BioPharm International looked at the production of monoclonal antibodies to compare single&#8209;use and stainless steel process technologies. The authors split pharmaceutical production into 14 unit operations, plus an additional support unit encompassing all operations required for CIP\/SIP. Energy costs were determined based on the assumption that multiuse equipment has a 10&#8209;year lifetime, with 25% of equipment then reused, 67% recycled, and the remaining 8% landfilled.\n\n<strong>Results &#038; analysis:<\/strong> The authors evaluated the full process trains at 100&nbsp;L, 500&nbsp;L, and 2,000&nbsp;L scales for a 10&#8209;batch campaign. They used 18 categories to assess environmental impact, including human toxicity as well as depletion of water, metal, ozone, and fossil. For 2,000&nbsp;L volumes, the single&#8209;use bioreactors proved to be advantageous over multiuse bioreactors in each of the 18 categories, as shown in Figure 1.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;selector figure {||  display: table;||  margin-left: auto;||  margin-right: auto;||  text-align: center;||}||||selector figcaption {||  caption-side: bottom;||  display: table-caption;||}||||selector img {||  margin-bottom: 1rem;||}&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_css_main_element_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/figure-1.webp\" alt=\"Comparison of environmental impacts of single-use vs. multi-use bioprocessing. From GE Healthcare Study.\" \/><\/p>\n<figcaption>Figure 1. 18 categories were used to assess environmental impacts of single-use vs. multiuse bioprocessing. Impact of multiuse reactors are normalized to 100%. Image from GE Healthcare study.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]The study compared environmental impact on human health, ecosystems, and resources at various lifecycle phases: supply chain refers to the materials and manufacturing of process equipment (including consumables); use phase refers to the impacts of production, including CIP\/SIP; and end\u2011of\u2011life refers to the disposal, reuse, or recycling of equipment. Figure 2 shows that about 90% of the environmental impact of a bioprocess results from <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.cytivalifesciences.com\/dmm3bwsv3\/AssetStream.aspx?mediaformatid=10061&#038;destinationid=10016&#038;assetid=16801\" target=\"_blank\">lifetime usage<\/a>.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;off|desktop&#8221; custom_css_free_form=&#8221;selector figure {||  display: table;||  margin-left: auto;||  margin-right: auto;||  text-align: center;||}||||selector figcaption {||  caption-side: bottom;||  display: table-caption;||}||||selector img {||  margin-bottom: 1rem;||}&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_css_main_element_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/figure-2.webp\" alt=\"Comparing environmental impacts at various lifecycle stages. Lifetime operation, including CIP\/SIP, accounts for 90% of the total environmental cost of bioprocessing. Image from GE Healthcare study.\" \/><\/p>\n<figcaption>Figure 2. Comparing environmental impacts at various lifecycle stages. Lifetime operation, including CIP\/SIP, accounts for 90% of the total environmental cost of bioprocessing. Image from GE Healthcare study<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<strong>Key findings:<\/strong> This study concluded that single&#8209;use equipment is significantly more environmentally friendly than traditional stainless steel equipment. The biggest savings are in the energy costs of lifetime usage: with energy savings attributed to removing the processes necessary for CIP\/SIP.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Study 2: CIP\/SIP accounts for over half of the total energy consumption of stainless steel skids&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<strong>Purpose &amp; design:<\/strong> In 2009, BioProcess International looked at the <a href=\"https:\/\/bioprocessintl.com\/manufacturing\/supply-chain\/environmental-impact-of-single-use-and-reusable-bioprocess-systems-183572\/\" target=\"_blank\">energy costs of single\u2011use vs. multiuse systems<\/a>. Their energy calculations were based on the following factors:\n<ul>\n\t<li>Single\u2011use plastics are assumed to be made entirely of polypropylene<\/li>\n\t<li>Stainless steel bioreactors have a lifetime of 600 production batches, but the required liquid and air filters must be regularly replaced.<\/li>\n\t<li>Single\u2011use biocontainers are housed in stainless steel totes without vent filters.<\/li>\n\t<li>Single\u2011use capsule filters inside stainless steel housings are used instead of standard liquid and exhaust gas filters.<\/li>\n\t<li>Single\u2011use membrane absorber capsules are used instead of standard chromatography columns and resins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<strong>Results &amp; analysis:<\/strong> Table 1 shows a summary of the energy calculations for single\u2011use plastic systems compared to multiuse stainless steel. Materials production refers to the energy cost of manufacturing the components for the two solutions; sterilization refers to SIP between batches for stainless steel systems or pre-sterilizing components by irradiation for single\u2011use systems; and cleaning refers to CIP for reusable skids, most often using a combination of pyrogen\u2011free distilled water, sodium hydroxide, and phosphoric acid in standard, pre\u2011determined quantities.[\/et_pb_text][dvmd_table_maker tbl_column_max_width=&#8221;1.1fr&#8221; tbl_responsive_break_by=&#8221;row&#8221; tbl_frame_type=&#8221;lines&#8221; tbl_frame_line_style=&#8221;none&#8221; tbl_frame_line_color=&#8221;#A2AAB6&#8243; tbl_frame_line_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; tbl_tcell_cell_padding=&#8221;14px|50px|14px|50px|true|true&#8221; tbl_chead_cell_color=&#8221;#eaeaea&#8221; tbl_chead_cell_align_horz=&#8221;center&#8221; tbl_rhead_cell_color=&#8221;#eaeaea&#8221; tbl_rhead_cell_align_horz=&#8221;center&#8221; tbl_tcell_cell_padding_tablet=&#8221;14px|50px|14px|50px|true|true&#8221; tbl_tcell_cell_padding_phone=&#8221;|15px||15px|true|true&#8221; tbl_tcell_cell_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; tbl_tcell_text_line_height=&#8221;2em&#8221; tbl_chead_text_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; tbl_chead_text_text_color=&#8221;#2A3B47&#8243; tbl_chead_text_font_size=&#8221;18px&#8221; tbl_rhead_text_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; tbl_rhead_text_text_color=&#8221;#2A3B47&#8243; tbl_rhead_text_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; tbl_chead_text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;15px&#8221; tbl_chead_text_font_size_phone=&#8221;15px&#8221; tbl_chead_text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; tbl_rhead_text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;18px&#8221; tbl_rhead_text_font_size_phone=&#8221;18px&#8221; tbl_rhead_text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_width_all_tbl_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_color_all_tbl_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;#597084&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=&#8221;\nMaterials Production\nSterilization\nCleaning\nTotal&#8221; col_column_max_width=&#8221;0.9fr&#8221; col_tcell_cell_color=&#8221;#2A3B47&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; col_tcell_text_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; col_tcell_text_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; col_tcell_text_letter_spacing=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_width_all_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_color_all_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;#597084&#8243; border_style_all_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;solid&#8221; border_width_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;rgba(162,170,182,0.45)&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=&#8221;Single-Use Energy Consumption (Megajoules)\n4,100\n30\n0\n4,130&#8243; col_tcell_cell_color=&#8221;#F6F6F6&#8243; col_tcell_cell_align_horz=&#8221;center&#8221; col_tcell_cell_align_vert=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; col_tcell_text_text_color=&#8221;#2A3B47&#8243; col_tcell_text_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; border_width_all_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_color_all_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;RGBA(255,255,255,0)&#8221; border_width_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;rgba(162,170,182,0.45)&#8221; border_style_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;solid&#8221; border_width_all_col_rhead_cell_border=&#8221;0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_content=&#8221;Multiuse Stainless Steel Energy Consumption (Megajoules)\n1,100\n2,000\n4,900\n8,000&#8243; col_tcell_cell_color=&#8221;#F6F6F6&#8243; col_tcell_cell_align_horz=&#8221;center&#8221; col_tcell_cell_align_vert=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; col_tcell_text_text_color=&#8221;#2A3B47&#8243; col_tcell_text_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; border_width_all_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;0px&#8221; border_color_all_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;RGBA(255,255,255,0)&#8221; border_width_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;rgba(162,170,182,0.45)&#8221; border_style_bottom_col_tcell_cell_border=&#8221;solid&#8221; border_width_all_col_rhead_cell_border=&#8221;0px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/dvmd_table_maker_item][\/dvmd_table_maker][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<span class=\"footnote\">Table 1: Total energy calculations for bioprocessing for single use systems compared to multiuse stainless steel systems. While single-use systems have higher materials costs to regularly replace components, they are significantly less energy intensive over their lifetimes.<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]While manufacturing stainless steel is significantly more energy intensive than manufacturing plastic, the disposable plastic components must be replaced for each batch. This results in a cumulative energy expenditure to produce single\u2011use components that is almost 4x greater than the energy expenditure to manufacture the equivalent multiuse components. While single\u2011use components are often disposed of by incineration, allowing for some energy recovery through heat, there is not nearly enough recovery to overcome the large difference in energy costs.\n\nSIP calculations assumed a steam generator output of 500\u00a0kW\/h, and 100\u00a0L of water necessary to provide 30 minutes of steam at 130oC, with SIP between each batch. In contrast, single\u2011use components are irradiated by the manufacturer and then disposed of after use. This study found that sterilizing multiuse skids between batches is over 6x more energy intensive than sterilizing single\u2011use components before use.\n\nThe largest energy expenditure in traditional bioreactor systems is in producing the pyrogen\u2011free distilled water necessary for cleaning. The 4,900\u00a0MJ which this study determined to be necessary for cleaning multiuse systems lies in sharp contrast to 0\u00a0MJ required for single\u2011use components, which do not need to be cleaned.\n\n<strong>Key findings:<\/strong> Over a lifetime of use, single\u2011use bioreactors are significantly less energy intensive than multiuse bioreactors. CIP\/SIP accounts for the vast majority of the energy requirements for traditional bioreactor skids, meaning the elimination of inline cleaning and sterilization is the key environmental advantage of single\u2011use systems.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Example: waste streams resulting from CIP\/SIP&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]Waste streams result from <a href=\"https:\/\/bioprocessintl.com\/manufacturing\/facility-design-engineering\/minimizing-the-environmental-footprint-of-bioprocesses-303905\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cleaning reusable components<\/a>, and must be processed as they leave pharmaceutical plants before they are introduced into the sewer system. Standard toxicity assessments calculate the concentrations of various trace metals and other materials which may be toxic to organisms, as well as looking at stream volumes, and the expected dilution of the waste streams when mixed with other waste at the treatment plant.\n\nStandard cleaning solutions for reusable stainless steel and plastic components include 1\u00a0M sodium hydroxide, 1\u00a0M phosphoric acid, pyrogen\u2011free distilled water, buffers, cleaning agents, and steam. Sanitation solutions are usually diluted bleach, and wipe\u2011down solutions are generally quaternary disinfectants. These solutions must then all be rinsed several times over \u2014 creating chemical runoffs which must be properly handled.\n\nTo address the issues associated with chemical waste streams, regulatory drivers have moved pharmaceutical facilities from chemical sanitation to steam sanitation. Steam sanitation creates less chemical runoff and less energy is required to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/articles\/aerobic-vs-anaerobic-wastewater-treatment-an-overview\/\">treat the waste streams<\/a>. However, the energy cost of steam generation can be great enough to offset these advantages.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=&#8221;Impact of CIP\/SIP and the role of process intensification as a remedial solution&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h3&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]CIP\/SIP has been shown in the studies cited here and others to be the primary contributor to the environmental footprint of a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. As such, the primary advantage conveyed by single&#8209;use systems is exactly that &mdash; they are disposed of and replaced, rather than cleaned and reused. Despite the higher manufacturing costs demanded by components which must be continually replaced, single&#8209;use systems achieve a much lower environmental footprint by avoiding the energy costs of inline cleaning and sterilization.\n\nDespite their environmental advantages, single&#8209;use skids are not always feasible, for reasons ranging from process scale to extreme operating conditions to fluid incompatibilities. Process intensification therefore provides a simple means by which to introduce significant energy savings into the plant.\n\n<h4>Hybrid systems provide a practical, environmentally-conscious design<\/h4>\nHybrid systems, consisting of a combination of single&#8209;use and multiuse skids, can offer a unique opportunity to reduce a plant&rsquo;s environmental footprint without requiring a total overhaul of the manufacturing process. This allows system designers to take advantage of skids with appropriate single&#8209;use solutions, while recognizing their limitations in other areas.\n\n<h4>Skids designed for easy CIP\/SIP lead to less water and steam, and fewer chemicals<\/h4>\nMaking more cleanable skids would result in CIP\/SIP procedures that require less water and fewer chemicals &mdash; resulting in less wastewater treatment, less steam generation, and an all&#8209;around lower energy cost of cleaning. Skids allowing for in&#8209;line buffer dilution would allow for smaller buffer holding tanks, resulting in less equipment to clean and sterilize and time savings from not needing to move various pieces around the facility. This in turn can lead to smaller facility sizes, which have lower HVAC costs.\n\n<h4>Operator training means producing only the wastes which are strictly necessary<\/h4>\nExpanding training for operators is a simpler step for leaner processing and achieving process intensification. Overages are built into standard operating procedures, but extra&#8209;cautious operators may want to add an extra rinse. Training operators closely on the SOPs and the reasoning behind each step can prevent unnecessary rinsewater or buffer production &mdash; and reduce inventory to only what is strictly necessary. This is particularly useful given that refrigerant gases have a large environmental footprint. Together, these factors indicate that single&#8209;use bioreactors compared to stainless steel are not the only factors in the overall environmental impact of bioprocessing.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||2rem||false|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; theme_builder_area=&#8221;post_content&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/articles\/optimize-bioreactor-production\/\">Learn more: Process intensification means greener facilities, greater productivity, and lower cost of goods <span class=\"et-pb-icon link-right-arrow\">$<\/span><\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Single\u2011use plastics for consumer products have long been the bane of the environmental movement, with grocery bags and straws as obvious examples. Single\u2011use plastics in bioprocessing, however, provide significant environmental advantages compared to the stainless steel alternatives. In addition to providing pharmaceutical companies with flexible, scalable solutions, single\u2011use bioprocessing equipment has proven to be a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":44426,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1400","content-type":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[112,170],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bioreactors-fermenters","category-environmental"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Single-Use Bioreactors vs Stainless Steel on Environment - Alicat Scientific<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Comparing single-use bioreactors vs. stainless steel for environmental impact requires assessing effect on humans and ecosystems and CIP\/SIP\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/de\/artikel\/vergleich-der-umweltauswirkungen-von-einweg-bioreaktoren-und-bioreaktoren-aus-rostfreiem-stahl\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"de_DE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Single-Use Bioreactors vs Stainless Steel on Environment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Comparing single-use bioreactors vs. stainless steel for environmental impact requires assessing effect on humans and ecosystems and CIP\/SIP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/de\/artikel\/vergleich-der-umweltauswirkungen-von-einweg-bioreaktoren-und-bioreaktoren-aus-rostfreiem-stahl\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Alicat Scientific\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/alicatscientific\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-02-17T13:09:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-06T21:52:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.alicat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/article-environmental-impact-bioreactors.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"746\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alicat Scientific\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alicat Scientific\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9\u00a0Minuten\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alicat.com\\\/articles\\\/comparing-the-environmental-impacts-of-single-use-and-stainless-steel-bioreactors\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.alicat.com\\\/articles\\\/comparing-the-environmental-impacts-of-single-use-and-stainless-steel-bioreactors\\\/\",\"name\":\"Single-Use Bioreactors vs Stainless Steel on Environment - 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