News Archive
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Conference report on the 2026 Biofouling Management Conference – Climate Action and Marine Conservation
The Norderney Institute for Antifouling, run by Dr. Brill + Partner (DBP), has organised the Biofouling Management Conference on Norderney for the third time, in collaboration with the Northern Germany Maritime Cluster (MCN), the GreenShipping Lower Saxony initiative and the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The German Sailing Association (DSV) and the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) were also ‘on board’ once again. Over 50 experts from industry, research, associations and public authorities took part in the two-day event, which was fittingly held at the port terminal of AG Reederei Norden-Frisia.
The 21 presentations and subsequent discussions focused on how ship and boat hulls can be better protected against biofouling in order to reduce the associated increase in friction – and consequently in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions – without placing an unnecessary burden on the marine environment. Even an inconspicuous biofilm on hulls leads to a significant increase. Consequently, interim inspections and cleaning of ships whilst in the water have come increasingly into focus in recent years, with a view to achieving the goal of climate neutrality for shipping by 2050. Presentations were given on the topics of coatings, cleaning technologies and regulatory frameworks, highlighting the realisation that, whilst much is already technically feasible, progress is often hindered by the fact that the rules governing when, where and how cleaning may be carried out in the water have not yet been defined. The BSH and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), as federal authorities, and the Bremen Senate Department for the Environment, as a state authority, aim to establish a framework for local authorities, as it is their responsibility to grant authorisation for cleaning operations.
Dr. Brill + Partner are carrying out valuable research in this area through several projects:
Biologist Soyla Kraus presented the BioSHIP project, in which new coatings are being developed in collaboration with Fraunhofer IFAM, Momentive Performance Materials and the company Hydrotox; these coatings contain biodegradable substances and thus release fewer biocides and microplastics. In 2027, the most promising coatings are also set to be tested on a Frisia ferry.
Dr Florian Gerland from the University of Kassel presented the LABROID project, in which a cleaning robot is being further developed in collaboration with DBP so that, using cameras and AI analysis, it can autonomously detect the extent of fouling on the ship’s hull whilst underway and clean it accordingly. The Briese shipping company from Leer is providing ship units for this project.
Benjamin Emde from the Hannover Laser Centre presented the joint project AquaLas, which aims to eliminate biofouling on aquaculture nets using laser radiation. Tests for outdoor facilities are taking place at DBP on Norderney, whilst those for indoor facilities are being conducted at Fraunhofer IMTE in Büsum.
Bernd Daehne from DBP emphasises that what makes the conference on Norderney unique is the high proportion of representatives from public authorities, who must, of course, be fully on board when it comes to the regulatory aspects of underwater cleaning. The Maritime Cluster Northern Germany summarises the event as follows: “Not every question can be conclusively answered in three days – but we have brought together important perspectives, further developed topics and taken away new ideas for the next steps. This is an important step towards developing solutions for biofouling management that are supported by the various stakeholders. As the Maritime Cluster of Northern Germany, we are happy to act as a network to continue this dialogue and connect the participants with one another.”
The participants also praised the successful event and hope it will be repeated in 2027.
The following publications have reported in detail on the 3rd Biofouling Management Conference:
- Norderneyer Morgen – Link: here
Publication by Masoumeh Kashiri: "Assessment of pathogenic traits in selected bacteria isolated from snowy environments in France and Greenland"
The first paper by Masoumeh Kashiri, a PhD student at the Dr. Brill Institute, was published in *Extremophiles*: “Assessment of pathogenic traits in selected bacteria isolated from snowy environments in France and Greenland”, which was produced as part of the ICEBIO project and is also the very first publication to emerge from this project. The new study shows that cold-adapted bacteria of the genera Peribacillus, Sphingomonas and Subtercola, isolated from snowy regions of the French Alps and Greenland, are genetically equipped primarily for survival under extreme conditions and not for clinical pathogenicity, despite isolated instances of resistance. Full details of this publication, including a download link, can be found under ‘Publications’ – HERE.
"Extremophiles" features original research articles, reviews, and method papers on the biology, molecular biology, structure, function, and applications of microbial life at the edges of survivability.
MEDICA 2025 - Meet us in Düsseldorf!
Meet DR. BRILL INSTITUTES at MEDICA 2026! MEDICA is regarded as the world’s leading trade fair for the medical technology industry and the healthcare sector. This year, it will take place from 16 to 19 November 2026, as always in Düsseldorf. Take advantage of your visit to MEDICA to talk to us in person. Dr. Florian Brill will be on site for the first two days of the fair. You are welcome to make an appointment now, preferably by emailing info@brillhygiene.com. We look forward to meeting you or seeing you again in Düsseldorf! You can find all further information about MEDICA here: Link
Presentation of the Results: OECD Round Robin Test on Ready Biodegradability
Please make a note of 25 and 26 February 2027. On these dates, an international workshop will be held with representatives from research, industry and public authorities, at which the results of the UBA project "Round Robin test in preparation for the consolidation of tests for ready biodegradability in accordance with OECD guidelines" (project code: 3724657090) will be presented. As well as presenting the results of the ring test carried out as part of the project, the workshop will also offer the opportunity for technical exchange and on further aspects of the process of a proposed revision of the OECD test methods for assessing ready biodegradability. We would be delighted to welcome you to the Federal Press Office in Berlin on these dates! Find out more about the project, share your experiences and join the discussion with us. Further details on the programme and registration will be available shortly.
See also: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/service/dates/oecd-round-robin-test-on-ready-biodegradability
Topic: "Water Safety Plan (WSP)" at the Online Update on Hygiene and Infection Prevention #21
The second edition of the Online-Update Hygiene und Infektionsprävention (Online Update on Hygiene and Infection Prevention) in 2026 is just around the corner. It is being organised as part of the HIHeal (Hygiene, Infection & Health) project, a joint initiative between Life Science Nord, the Hospital Hygiene Unit at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) and DR. BRILL INSTITUTES.
This time, the focus will be on the Water Safety Plan (WSP) as a preventive concept for ensuring drinking water hygiene. In addition to risk assessment – a key component in drawing up a WSP in a medical setting – and a practical review in the hospital setting, the event will also cover the monitoring of Hamburg’s wastewater.
Presentations and speakers:
- Risk assessment as an integral part of the WSP – 10 years’ experience at Aqua free
Frank Hille and Stefan Dimter / Aqua free - Watch out for aquaplaning! A reality check on the Water Safety Plan in hospitals
Dr Ursula Perez-Lemm / Marienkrankenhaus - Detection of wild poliovirus type 1 in Hamburg’s wastewater
Dr Silja Bühler / Institute for Hygiene and the Environment
We warmly invite you to this event and look forward to your participation and to exchanging views with you and our experts. The event will take place in German via Zoom. You will automatically receive the link to the meeting via email with your registration confirmation. You can find all further information and the registration form HERE.
Freiburger Infektiologie- und Hygienekongress 2026: Lunch symposium with Dr Florian H. H. Brill
At the Freiburger Infektiologie- und Hygienekongress 2026 (Freiburg Congress on Infectious Diseases and Hygiene), Dr Florian H. H. Brill will be taking part in one of the congress’s lunch symposia. The topic of the symposium is: "From the laboratory to practice – how wetting and product design influence the effectiveness of surface disinfectant wipes". It will take place on Day 1 of the congress (7 October 2026), from 12.30 to 13.30, in Conference Room 9 (Dr Schumacher GmbH). If you would like to know more about the topic of the lunch symposium, or if you are attending the congress in Freiburg and are interested in meeting Dr Brill, please do get in touch – for example, by email: HERE
Congress information: With over 1,500 participants, the annual Freiburger Infektiologie- und Hygienekongress is one of the most significant continuing professional development events in the German-speaking world. Set against the charming backdrop of the Freiburg Konzerthaus, renowned hygiene experts from Germany and abroad offer valuable insights into the latest findings. This makes the congress an internationally recognised highlight in the medical discipline of infectious diseases and hygiene. This year, the Freiburger Infektiologie- und Hygienekongress is taking place under the patronage of the Federal Minister for Health, Dr Carsten Linnemann, thereby sending a strong signal in support of infection prevention and hygiene.
The Freiburger Infektiologie- und Hygienekongress is organised by BZH GmbH Deutsches Beratungszentrum für Hygiene (German Advisory Centre for Hygiene). Dates: 7 October 2026 – 9 October 2026, in Freiburg.
The conference and the symposia will be held in German. Further information on the Freiburger Infektiologie- und Hygienekongress 2026 can be found on the congress website – HERE.
12th CAHMV: Program released - Registration is now open!
The program of our 12th Conference of Applied Hygiene, Microbiology and Virology (CAHMV 2026) has just been released, and registration is now officially open. The full lecture program and the registration form are available on our website www.cahmv.com.
Following last year's successful premiere, we are delighted to announce the return of a key highlight: Our workshop, "Efficacy testing of antimicrobial products - including video insights from the testing labs," will offer exclusive insights into our testing facilities. This session presents a valuable opportunity to gain practical knowledge and participate in a collaborative discussion.
The scientific program features an exceptional lineup of renowned experts. Dr. Florian H. H. Brill will open the second day with a highly anticipated keynote lecture on the latest developments in the efficacy evaluation of antimicrobial products, and Professor Dr. Ojan Assadian will close that day with his keynote "My year in Infection Prevention and Control". On the first day, attendees can look forward to two further distinguished keynote presentations: Dr. Britt Hornei will talk about "Replication capacity (RCAU) as a basis for assessing the sensitivity of micro-organisms to disinfectant agents", and Professor Dr. Jean-Yves Maillard will deliver a comprehensive keynote on the difficulties of eliminating environmental biofilms, addressing both complex multi-species and dry surface biofilms.
We are also pleased to welcome Dr. Sophie Loeffert-Frémiot, who will chair a panel discussion on current challenges in efficacy evaluation from the perspective of the new CEN/TC 216. Furthermore, and Professor Dr. Daniel Todt will discuss the "Transmission and inactivation of viral hepatitis".
The extensive session "Hot topics Infection Prevention & Control" features a diverse selection of further high-quality scientific presentations. This track will once again be chaired by Professor Dr. Eike Steinmann and Professor Dr. Jörg Steinmann. Regarding regulatory affairs, Dr. Gunnar Kleist will lead the session "Current Challenges in European Regulatory Affairs," focusing on pressing BPR updates. CAHMV 2026 will also include a dedicated session on non-clinical hygiene, chaired by Professor Dr. Dirk Bockmühl.
We invite you to join us at the 12th CAHMV 2026 on 26 and 27 November 2026 at the AMERON Hamburg Hotel Speicherstadt. Alongside the scientific sessions, a pleasant joint dinner in a maritime atmosphere awaits you. For those unable to attend in person, online participation is available (please note: this option excludes the BPR session on Friday!). Numerous colleagues from our institutes will be in attendance and look forward to welcoming you.
Link: www.cahmv.com.
Infection Prevention 2026 with poster presentation by Dr Florian H. H. Brill
At the end of September, the Infection Prevention 2026 (IP 2026) conference will take place in Leeds, at which Dr Florian H. H. Brill will be attending and presenting a poster. His topic is: "Standardising the Efficacy Testing of Reprocessing Procedures for Semi-Critical Medical Devices. A Case Study Using UV-C Chambers for Ultrasound Probes". In addition to Dr Brill, the co-authors are Anna Ulatowski, Henrik Gabriel and Kerstin Walendy-Gnirß – all from our institute. If you would like to know more about this topic, or if you are attending the conference in Leeds yourself and would like to meet Dr Brill in person, please do get in touch – for example, by email: HERE
Infection Prevention 2026 is the leading conference organised by the British Infection Prevention Society in the field of infection prevention and control. The event covers topics such as patient safety and digital innovations in healthcare. Further information on IP 2026 can be found on the event website – HERE.
Clade-dependent resilience of Candidozyma auris challenges surrogate-based disinfectant testing: implications for efficacy testing of oxidative disinfectants
A publication titled "Clade-dependent resilience of Candidozyma auris challenges surrogate-based disinfectant testing: implications for efficacy testing of oxidative disinfectants" has been published in the "Journal of Hospital Infection", with Dr. Florian H. H. Brill being one of the contributing authors.
The study shows that Candida albicans, the standard test organism used to date, does not always reliably reflect the efficacy of disinfectants against the multidrug-resistant hospital pathogen Candidozyma auris. While alcohols and aldehydes reliably combat the pathogen, selected peracetic acid-based products demonstrated significantly reduced efficacy. Isolates of clade I, in particular, proved to be highly resistant. To ensure maximum patient safety in everyday clinical practice, the team of experts therefore recommends specifically including Candidozyma auris in the testing procedures for certain oxidative formulations. All details and related links to this scientific article can be found under "Publications" - HERE.
We would be happy to advise you on the implications for efficacy testing of oxidative disinfectants and offer customized testing services to ensure the safety of your products. Contact: HERE
Hydrotox with presentation and poster at UMWELT 2026
Hydrotox Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Water Protection will participate in UMWELT 2026, the joint annual conference of SETAC-GLB and the GDCh Division of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, and will also contribute to the program: In a presentation, Marie Canon, Head of Biodegradation and Ecotoxicology Testing, will report on the "Schwammstadt" (Sponge City) research project and the ecotoxicological assessment of construction products (A3.5), and a poster will present findings on the biodegradability and ecotoxicity of biocide-free antifouling coatings from the BioShip project (P5.6).
UMWELT 2026 will take place 02-04 September 2026, at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Essen. This year’s theme is "Between Crisis and Change: Pollutants, Health, and Ecosystems in the Anthropocene." The event will be held in German. All details about UMWELT 2026, including the full program, can be found at the following link:
Thursday, 03 September 2026
Session A3 "Ökotoxikologie & Stressökologie I" (Ecotoxicology & Stress Ecology I)
16:35 - 16:50 Uhr:
"Ermittlung ökotoxikologisch unbedenklicher Bauprodukte für Gründächer zur Umsetzung der Schwammstadt" (A3.5) (Identification of Ecotoxicologically Safe Building Products for Green Roofs to Implement the “Sponge City” Concept)
Marie Canon
We would, of course, be delighted to get to know you or see you again in Essen, and we are already looking forward to stimulating discussions. If you would like to schedule an appointment in advance or have any other questions or requests, please feel free to contact us!
Update on the Biofouling Management Conference Norderney including field trip 2026: Program now available - registration is ongoing!
On 01-02 October 2026, Norderney will become the gathering place for the antifouling community already for the third time: That is when the BIOFOULING-MANAGEMENT-KONFERENZ Norderney including field trip will take place there (formerly the "Antifouling Conference"), an important industry gathering organized by the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland, MCN) in collaboration with the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, BSH), the German Sailing Association (Deutscher Motoryachtverband, DSV), and the German Motor Yacht Association (Deutscher Motoryachtverband, DMYV). The event will focus on innovative, environmentally friendly strategies to prevent fouling on ship hulls or other underwater structures. The BIOFOULING-MANAGEMENT-KONFERENZ will be held in German.
A special highlight is the field trip to the Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion at Dr. Brill + Partner, which is hosting an exclusive visit to Norderney. On site, participants will gain insights into test facilities, laboratories, and ongoing research conducted under real-world conditions in a maritime environment.
The conference is complemented by a diverse program of presentations featuring contributions from renowned experts from academia, industry, and associations. It also offers numerous opportunities for in-depth discussion and networking. This year’s venue is located directly at the head of the pier, offering the best views of the Wadden Sea and the harbor entrance. At the end of the first day, an evening cruise on the Frisia XI and a barbecue at Dr. Brill + Partner provide the perfect setting for successful networking.
The detailed program and information on accommodation and travel options can be found as a PDF here:
The event is free of charge, but space is limited. The registration form can be found on the following website, here:
Important note: Securing hotel rooms for one or two nights is proving to be a significant challenge, so we recommend that you book your accommodations as soon as possible. The Jugendherberge Dünensender (Dünensender Youth Hostel) still has a limited number of rooms available for the period from 30 September to 3 October 2026. However, the minimum stay is 2 nights.
You can find our recap of the 2025 Antifouling Conference Norderney including Biofouling Excursion here: LINK
New service: Efficacy tests against Desulfovibrio for PT11 and PT12
We are expanding our services for efficacy testing according to ASTM E645 and ASTM E1839 to include a highly relevant test bacterium: Desulfovibrio. Cooling and process waters often provide ideal growth conditions for microorganisms. Accordingly, the ECHA Guidance on Efficacy requires comprehensive testing for various groups of organisms. Of particular relevance here is Desulfovibrio, a sulphate-reducing bacterium (SRB) and a major cause of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).
As an obligate anaerobic bacterium, Desulfovibrio poses a considerable challenge to the testing laboratory, as work must be performed under almost oxygen-free conditions. The technical implementation is significantly more challenging than with standard test organisms. We are therefore all the more excited to be able to offer these tests for both curative and preventive applications. We pay particular attention to the strict control protocols required for preventive applications to provide valid and reliable data.
Do you have a specific enquiry or require advice on testing for PT11 or PT12? Please feel free to contact us – we will be happy to assist you on an individual basis.
Get in touch HERE.