Stainless steel is suitable for pharmaceutical applications, provided the correct grade and surface finish are chosen.

Stainless Steel 316L (1.4404)
• Standard material in pharma for surfaces in contact with the product
• Highly resistant to acids, cleaning agents (CIP/SIP), and chlorine-containing substances
• Combines strength, cleanability, and long service life
• Often required by clients or validation procedures
• Frequently combined with an additional surface treatment such as electropolishing
• In our pharma experience, 20–25% of requests involve 316L stainless (and 100% for product-contact surfaces)

Stainless Steel 304 (1.4301)
• Used in non-critical zones or support areas such as carts, furniture, or transition benches
• Not recommended for wet or aggressive cleaning environments
• Not suitable for direct contact surfaces in cleanrooms or production areas

In pharma, even more than in food applications, corrosion resistance, cleanability, and validation are key focus points:

• Proper radius design with no dead corners (e.g. in sinks)
• Surface roughness often <1.2 µm, <0.8 µm, or even <0.6 µm
• Full traceability of materials (including certificates & PMI testing)
• Proper weld finishing, without discoloration or inclusions
• Compatibility with FDA, EHEDG, cGMP, ISO 14644, etc.

👉 In short: It’s not just about the material — design, finish, and documentation all play a crucial role in determining whether something is truly pharma-grade.