News Archive

Since January, the DR. BRILL INSTITUTES Group has grown by an important segment. With the age-related retirement of laboratory co-founder Dr. Stefan Gartiser from the management board, Hydrotox Labor für Ökotoxikologie und Gewässerschutz GmbH (the laboratory for ecotoxicology and water protection) in Freiburg, was integrated into the DR. BRILL INSTITUTES Group. This is a very attractive addition to the portfolio for both the Group and its customers.

What does Hydrotox bring to the table? In fact, all chemicals must be tested for their environmental compatibility in accordance with European chemicals legislation. Hydrotox, for example, covers the part of this that deals with how the respective substance behaves in water. Among other things, this involves the effects of the substances on the living environment, which is tested in the laboratory using model organisms such as algae, small crustaceans and fish. In addition, it is also tested whether the chemicals are well degraded in the sewage treatment plant.

The degradability of plastic and microplastics is also a very important topic in a global context. The Freiburg team's portfolio also includes testing for genotoxic effects, in which bacteria are used to test whether substances have mutagenic effects.

"To put it simply, we generally look at the extent to which these substances can have harmful effects on our environment and everyday life," says laboratory coordinator Dr. Christoph Hafner. "This can be explained most clearly using the example of pesticides: These chemicals are deliberately released into the environment in large quantities. In addition to the desired toxic effect on pests to protect the plants, no undesirable side effects on aquatic organisms or beneficial insects should occur if possible."

The testing of chemicals in the Hydrotox laboratory is carried out in accordance with the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). For this purpose, the laboratory is inspected by the state authority every three years and then receives certification that tests for the risk assessment of chemicals may be carried out.

While customers from the large chemical industry usually know exactly what they need and ask for it specifically, "smaller companies often don't know the exact regulatory background," says Hafner. "We can then describe to them in detail which tests need to be carried out during the consultation. With our colleagues from Regulatory Services in the DR. BRILL INSTITUTES Group, we are now in a very strong position to do this!"

In addition to laboratory work with biotest systems that have a high sample throughput, the Hydrotox team also contributes its expertise to research projects that are funded by third parties. This can include, for example, the implementation of corresponding literature studies or the development of website content. Industrial customers are also advised on how they can produce in a more environmentally friendly way.

The fact that Hydrotox joined the DR. BRILL INSTITUTES Group as a new subsidiary at the beginning of 2024 is an attractive addition to the portfolio. In addition to Brill's high level of expertise in the efficacy testing of disinfectants, Hydrotox brings this know-how for algicides to the group. Several years ago, the two companies had already jointly developed award criteria for eco-labels in third-party funded projects for environmentally friendly antifouling underwater coatings.

Other projects are also concerned with proving that algicides are effective in ponds or swimming pools, or how the formation of biofilms can be prevented in the cooling water of power plants.

"Some of the corporate customers are actually the same, we just have to deal with different departments," says Dr. Christoph Hafner. A major advantage of Hydrotox is the perfectly complementary five-person management team. "Each of us has a special scientific background, so we are very broadly based and flexible. We often develop tests according to customer requirements that are not included in any guideline."

With this team, companies receive individual support that is not subject to complex project management. The customer thus has a direct line to his investigation. Dr. Christoph Hafner (agricultural biologist) is responsible for overall laboratory management, quality management and customer care. His colleague Dr. Patrick Schwartz (graduate biologist) heads the ecotoxicity department. Biologist Andrea Brunswik-Titze and her colleague Felicitas Flach (Dipl. Ing. Environmental Sciences) are responsible for biodegradability. As head of the test facility, Dr. Ines Heisterkamp is responsible for compliance with GLP regulations, but otherwise primarily works on third-party funded and industrial customer research projects and, as a marine biologist, contributes her specialist knowledge of algae.

"We are privileged that the long-standing owner Dr. Stefan Gartiser will continue to support us with his immense expertise as a consultant," says Hafner. "The broad positioning enables us to react quickly to the changing needs of the market and reorganize our resources accordingly."

The online update on hygiene and infection prevention is going into the next round! On 02.07.2024 the online update with the main topic water hygiene will take place from 10:00 - 12:00. The event will be moderated by Dr. Florian H. H. Brill. 

All information on free registration and the program can be found on the website of Life Science Nord: LINK

Our new DAkkS accreditation certificates attest that our institute has once again extended the scope of testing in bactericidal and virucidal testing. The current documents can be found HERE. In June 2024, various DAkkS / ZLG audits in our company were also extremely positive. Benefit from the high quality and use the wide range of tests offered by our institute. We look forward to your inquiry!

+++ On Friday, 28 June 2024, our institute will be temporarily unavailable by phone for technical reasons. At that time, simply send us an email instead, e.g. to info@brillhygiene.com. +++ Am Freitag, dem 28. Juni 2024, ist unser Institut aus technischen Gründen vorübergehend telefonisch nicht erreichbar. Senden Sie uns stattdessen dann einfach eine E-Mail, z.B. an info@brillhygiene.com. +++

As part of a repeat audit, we were once again awarded the "Hamburg Family Seal". This seal confirms that DR. BRILL INSTITUTES is particularly committed to the compatibility of family and career. It is awarded by the Hamburg Alliance for Families - an initiative of the Hamburg Senate, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and the Hamburg Chamber of Crafts. All information about DR. BRILL INSTITUTES as an employer can be found on our career pages under the following link: HERE

Our laboratory manager Henrik Gabriel recently appeared as an expert in the consumer magazine "DIE TRICKS" on NDR television. The current episode, entitled "Die Tricks der Drogerien" (The tricks of the drugstores), dealt with the question of the hygiene of the cosmetic product testers available free of charge in drugstores. A laboratory test revealed some germ contamination that makes people sit up and take notice. Everything further on "Die Tricks der Drogerien" as well as the on-demand broadcast can be found under the following link. Henrik Gabriel appears from around minute 15:14 - HERE.

Out Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion now also offers In-water surveys of boat and ship hulls. This involves systematically scanning the hull with an underwater camera to inspect the condition of the coating or certain parts of the hull (propeller, rudder, log). The resulting images and videos are processed and provided to the customer together with a corresponding inspection report in accordance with ASTM D 6990-20 in the case of a fouling inspection. This and all other services of our Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion can be found HERE.

From May 12 - 15, 2024 the 17. Congress for Hospital Hygiene of the DGKH will take place in Bonn. This year we are represented at the symposium with the following presentations:

Monday, 13 May 2024 | 13:30 - 14:30 Uhr | Genf | Raum 2 | Lunchsymposium – B.BRAUN: Was braucht die Fläche? Und was nicht? (What does the surface need? And what is not needed?)

• Testung und Klassifikation von Desinfektionsmitteln – was sind echte Anforderungen, was ist nice to have? (Testing and classification of disinfectants - what are real requirements, what is nice to have?) F. H. H. Brill (Hamburg)

Tuesday, 14 Mai 2024 | 16:00 - 17:30 Uhr | Genf | Raum 2 | Session Antiseptik

• Wirksamkeit von Desinfektionsverfahren gegen klinische Isolate der internationalen Candida auris-Ausbruchsstämme im Vergleich zum Referenzlaborstamm Candida albicans (Efficacy of disinfection procedures against clinical isolates of the international Candida auris outbreak strains compared to the reference laboratory strain Candida albicans) F. H. H. Brill, H. Gabriel, A. Ulatowski, J. Steinmann (Hamburg, Nürnberg)

The entire program and further information on the event can be found HERE.

In mid-May, you will have the opportunity to meet Dr. Kerstin Walendy-Gnirß (Director Scientific Service) in person at the DEWU Deutscher Wundkongress (German Wound Congress), the largest German forum on Chronic Wounds. We would be delighted to see you again or to get to know you at the congress in Bremen (May 15-17, 2024). You are also welcome to make an appointment in advance. Link to request an appointment by email: HERE.

On June 10, 2024, the BSH, together with the DSV and DMYV recreational boating associations, invites you to the 1st Biofouling in Recreational Shipping Round Table from 09:00 - 16:30 as a hybrid event.

We would like to cordially invite you to the First Biofouling Round Table in Recreational Boating and look forward to a direct exchange with you and interesting technical discussions. We would also like to use the event to disseminate information and to present and discuss alternative solutions for reducing fouling.

Please register by 24.05.2024 under the following link for presence or online participation: HERE.

The Lower Saxony office of the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany (MCN) is organizing an excursion to Norderney together with the ZIM Antifouling Network, EurA AG and the Biofouling Research Station of Dr. Brill + Partner GmbH Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion as part of the GreenShipping Lower Saxony project. The trip will take place from August 29 to 30, 2024.

The excursion offers experts from the ZIM Antifouling Network and all interested parties the opportunity to experience the results of various antifouling technologies and measures as well as the associated test methods directly in the laboratories and outdoor test rigs of the Dr. Brill + Partner GmbH Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion research station.

In addition to a guided tour of the station, the program also includes specialist Presentations on the current status of environmentally friendly antifouling solutions and international regulations on biofouling management. An integrated workshop will also deal with current topics such as "Quo vadis anti-fouling", "Biocide-free in fresh waters" and "Washing areas for marinas" using the LSP method and will provide space to critically examine and discuss the topics.

The registration deadline for participation in the excursion is May 30, 2024. Further information and registration: HERE.

On April 16 and 17, 2024, the online meeting of Working Group 1 "human-medicine area" took place under the leadership of convenor Professor Katrin Steinhauer.

Several strategically important projects are supported by various scientists from Dr. Brill Institutes. For example, Dr. Dajana Paulmann is in charge of the development of the 4-field test in the area of virucidal testing, where data from the latest round robin test has been discussed. In addition, we are also part of the group for the qualification of reference substances for various test viruses. Dr. Florian H. H. Brill, together with Dr. Dajana Paulmann and Dr. Britta Becker, has also taken over the project management for the replacement of the poliovirus in EN 14476, which is to be completed by 2026. Additionally, Dr. Brill, together with Anna Ulatowski, is running the project to revise EN 14348 for mycobactericidal effectiveness testing. Henrik Gabriel provides significant support for the revision of the EN 14561/2/3 standards.

For Dr. Brill, involvement in these committees is a matter of course and is part of the company's DNA.