Programme example: this case study describes how Evochem typically sets up a hygiene programme for this type of site. Customer names and site results are not published here.
This application case study describes a typical dairy plant: milk reception, storage silos, pasteurisation, processing lines for milk and curd, and a filling and packing hall. Tanks, pipelines and heat exchangers are cleaned in place (CIP), while fillers, floors, walls and external equipment surfaces are cleaned by hand or with foam (open-plant cleaning).
Below is how Evochem usually builds a programme for a site of this type, and what the site should monitor to judge whether it is working.
The site and its hygiene challenges
Milk leaves two kinds of soil. Fat and protein are removed by alkaline cleaning. Milkstone, a mineral deposit made worse by hard water and heat, needs an acid step. Heat-treatment sections build up deposits fastest, while outer surfaces of fillers and conveyors collect splashes of milk and product throughout the shift.
Fat and protein films inside tanks, pipelines and plate heat exchangers.
Milkstone and scale where water is hard and surfaces are heated.
Spray-ball and circuit coverage gaps that leave soil in dead legs or tank tops.
Milk splashes on fillers, crate washers, floors and drains in the packing hall.
Inconsistent manual dosing of CIP tanks when concentrations are not checked.
Assessment
Map each CIP circuit with the plant engineer: tanks, lines, heat exchangers and the CIP set itself.
Review the current CIP sequence, how detergent is added and how concentration is checked.
Note water hardness and where scale or milkstone is visible.
Walk the open areas: fillers, packing hall, crate wash, floors, walls and drains.
Agree the records needed for CIP and for open-plant cleaning, and who signs them.
The cleaning programme
CIP and open-plant cleaning run as two linked routines. The CIP sequence is set per circuit, so the steps below are the typical structure rather than fixed settings.
CIP pre-rinse with water to push out residual milk.
Alkaline circulation with Clastox 50 at 0.5% to 5% depending on soil, to remove fat and protein from tanks, lines and heat exchangers.
Intermediate water rinse.
Acid circulation to remove milkstone and scale. There is no acid CIP detergent in the Evochem range, so this step and its frequency are specified with our technical team for each site.
Final rinse, then sanitise the cleaned circuit with Sanix Peraxy at 0.1% to 3% v/v where the plant includes a sanitising step.
Open-plant cleaning of fillers and external surfaces: pre-rinse, apply Clastox Foam or Alkalox Foam at 2% to 5%, scrub contact points, rinse.
Use Acidox Foam at 2% to 5% periodically on open surfaces where scale or inorganic deposits build up.
Sanitise pre-cleaned open food-contact surfaces with Sanix Quat at 0.1% to 0.5%.
Clean floors and drains in the packing hall last with Novel HD at 2% to 5%.
Products used
Dilutions are taken from the product data and fixed within these ranges for each circuit and area.
Clastox 50High Performance Alkaline DetergentPotent alkaline liquid detergent specially engineered for heavy-duty cleaning. Provides exceptional scale prevention and hard water resistance while effectively penetrating into stubborn soils, animal fats, and milk residues.
Clastox PlusLow Foaming Heavy Duty Alkaline DetergentPotent alkaline liquid detergent specially engineered to meet the rigorous demands of food processing plants. Its advanced detergent systems not only penetrate deeply into stubborn soils, animal fats, and milk residues, but also provide exceptional scale prevention and hard water resistance, ensuring that your cleaning operation runs smoothly and efficiently. Designed for heavy-duty applications.
Clastox FoamHigh Foaming Alkaline DetergentHigh-foaming alkaline detergent with advanced surfactants for high foam production. Excels at removing food industry soils like dairy, meat, and preserved foods due to its excellent wetting, chelating, and degreasing properties.
Alkalox FoamHigh Foaming Alkaline DetergentHigh-foaming alkaline detergent engineered with advanced surfactant blends to create a high foam that clings to surfaces. Ideal for use in the food industry, including dairies, meat processing plants, and preserved food facilities. Tackles tough, industry-specific soils.
Acidox FoamHigh Foaming Acidic DetergentPowerful, high-foaming acidic detergent specifically formulated to meet the stringent cleaning requirements of the food and beverage industry. Effectively removes scales, particulate matter, and inorganic soils.
Sanix PeraxyPeracetic Acid Based SanitizerClear liquid oxidizing sanitizer for the food industry, formulated with peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid. Eliminates a broad spectrum of microorganisms, including bacteria, spores, and viruses, ensuring high-level sanitation for pre-cleaned surfaces.
Sanix QuatBroad Spectrum SanitizerClear, liquid quaternary ammonium salt-based sanitizer for the food industry. It effectively sanitizes pre-cleaned surfaces and contaminated clothes, rapidly eliminating harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This solution is essential for maintaining a safe and hygienic food production environment
Novel HDHeavy Duty Floor CleanerPotent heavy-duty cleaner designed to tackle the most stubborn soils, greasy oil, and mineral deposits. Its advanced formulation is effective on heavily soiled floors, breaking down and removing tough stains such as tar, grease, and carbon. The cleaner is formulated for maximum effectiveness at lower concentrations, minimizing product waste and maximizing cleaning efficiency. Whether you're dealing with industrial spills, stubborn grease stains, or heavy traffic, Novel HD delivers powerful cleaning results.
Training and documentation
Training for CIP operators on the sequence, product addition and checking concentration before circulation.
Separate training for open-plant crews on foam application, rinsing and sanitising order.
A CIP record per circuit noting date, steps completed, product and concentration, signed by the operator.
MSDS for every product at the chemical store, with handling and protective equipment guidance.
Perfume-free handwash, Lush Care, at entry to processing areas.
What the site monitors
The site agrees in advance which checks it will use to judge the programme. These are items to monitor and review with our technical team, not outcomes promised.
Detergent concentration checks in the CIP tank before each alkaline circulation.
Visual inspection of tank interiors, gaskets and heat exchanger plates when they are opened.
ATP swab readings on agreed open surfaces, if the site uses ATP testing.
The plant’s own product and surface microbiological test results.
Audit findings and corrective actions related to cleaning.
Review
The programme is reviewed with the plant once it has run for a while and whenever circuits, products or water conditions change. Concentrations and acid-step frequency are adjusted based on what monitoring shows.
Talk to our technical team
Tell us about your site, soils, equipment and volumes. We will recommend products and dilutions, and send pricing for bulk supply.
Frequently asked questions
Does Evochem supply an acid CIP detergent?
There is no acid CIP detergent in the current range. The acid step is specified with our technical team for each site, and Acidox Foam is used for open surfaces.
Which product is used for the alkaline CIP step?
Clastox 50, a high-performance alkaline detergent, is used for the alkaline circulation at 0.5% to 5% depending on soil. Clastox Plus is a low-foaming alternative for heavy-duty applications.
Why is foam cleaning used alongside CIP?
CIP only cleans the inside of closed equipment. Fillers, outer surfaces, floors and walls need open-plant cleaning, and foam clings to vertical surfaces so the detergent stays where it is needed.
Is sanitising part of every CIP cycle?
That depends on the plant’s own requirements. Where a sanitising step is used, it always follows cleaning and rinsing, because sanitisers work on surfaces that are already clean.