Due to the inherent risks of animal-derived raw materials, the biopharmaceutical industry has an increasing demand for serum-free and protein-free media for industrial cell culture bioprocesses. The absence of serum often changes the characteristics of mammalian cells, especially growth, productivity, and adherence properties. This study is mainly focused on the influence of media additives on cell adherence characteristics. An array of different carboxymethyl dextrans and different ferric citrate concentrations was tested with a number of CHO clones, using standard cell culture Roux-flasks and Cytoline 1 macroporous microcarriers. A prototype mixing system with controlled shear force input was developed as a screening system for adherence characteristics. The results of this evaluation revealed a negatively correlated dose-dependent influence on adhesion for ferric citrate. It was also found that certain carboxymethyl dextrans are capable of increasing the adherence on Roux-flasks and microcarriers.