---
title: Stainless Steel Chemical Cleaning
description: Learn how pH neutral derouging chemicals ensure a pristine surface, prevent contamination, and are environmentally safe for disposal.
image: https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/hubfs/Rouge-and-Derouging.png
---
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# Rouging and Derouging: Stainless Steel Chemical Cleaning
by [**Neil Brook**](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/blog/author/neil-brook) on May 21, 2024
[Rouge](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/derouging-stainless-steel)is made up of a variety of iron oxides (rust). It is important that corrosion products (rust or rouge) are not present in your manufacturing and distribution systems, tanks or equipment. Aside from potentially contaminating your product, it can have a detrimental effect on the surface finish of your plant, leading to pitting and/or a roughened surface that may exacerbate biofilm development.
[Stainless steel systems](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/blog/three-ways-to-test-the-surface-cleanliness-of-your-stainless-steel) such as Purified Water, WFI and Pure Steam are vulnerable to this form of contamination and should be routinely derouged to keep them in pristine condition.
[](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL3Xg6TrZ8wjbhfovkwV5K1M9DtZtedtcYq%2BmezhdQ72NkYzTKEX9Sbc7DwF1C15f52eJS4ahU5G1haQkv3HKyJibIYjcjcDYgLMNGettKR0VW64K2UuiqD%2FUVZQuHRNfoxeInZivUMAzmbyFKk%2FbCILQajCZpa6%2FAtKpiif2B%2BGkTHxjLaIR%2FztoCHp7YtbEGnpr%2BW&webInteractiveContentId=110888163060&portalId=144263954)
The photos attached show the results achieved using pH neutral derouging chemicals. The chemicals and resulting rinse waters are all safe to be discharged directly to drain, eliminating the usual issue associated with chemical cleaning activities of having large volumes of hazardous liquids building up around the facility.
INOX Passivation offer various chemical cleaning services to the pharmaceutical industry. Whether you require high velocity flushing to remove debris, descaling to optimise system efficiency, [biofilm removal](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/blog/understand-stainless-steel-passivation-tech-jargon), the passivation of new/modified systems or [derouging of existing plant](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/derouging-stainless-steel) (and various other processes), we can assist you to ensure you continue to meet the regulatory requirements and eliminate unplanned downtime.
- Proprietary chemicals developed specifically for the pharmaceutical industry, with validated methods to prove they have been removed after the rinsing steps
- State of the art circulation equipment, designed for hygienic applications
- cGMP compliant documentation packs
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[Contact us for a quotation](https://www.inoxpassivation.com/contact-us)
[](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKwRqeyYe%2BzvJ9nHWkPespm%2BNjc6homEvyGFmdJIl0GMugYVbyjFAf%2BJ0WKsERY1kKZlLRkOq%2BjWLTBGcgPHZkBPvf1Y0ADV6l15Ao%2F49E9pWta4T49qS4erLrnaamrGgXaGycPdhEXwSAy2FxvxZn3h1qxS2iOUC%2B3LJdxkGG3%2FMaYwrepv7am6SNpf3eWxTEO&webInteractiveContentId=111505996273&portalId=144263954)
Topics: [Derouging stainless steel](https://www.inoxpassivation.co.uk/blog/tag/derouging-stainless-steel)
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