A scientist wearing protective goggles and gloves examines a Petri dish.

Discover the
Sterillium® DNA

This is who we are.
This is what makes us special.

Active research, reliable quality, and a deep understanding of our users' needs – these are the ingredients that make Sterillium® the successful brand it is today. But where did all this start? And how did we get to where we are now? Read on to learn more about our journey.

Sterillium®: A legacy of innovation …

Sterillium® advertising poster from the 1960s, showing a woman holding a bottle of Sterillium in her hands.
Sterillium® has become so integral to healthcare environments worldwide that it’s easy to take the iconic blue bottle for granted. Yet, this success is the result of a long and rich history marked by relentless innovation and an unwavering dedication to infection prevention all across the globe.

Our journey began in 1965, under the guidance of Hamburg-based heart surgeon Peter Kalmár, who led the development of the world’s first alcohol-based hand disinfectant: Sterillium®. This innovation was revolutionary not only because it provided unmatched disinfecting efficacy but also because it was gentle on the skin – two qualities that had never been combined before. It is this pioneering spirit that defines who we are at our core and continues to drive us forward today.

… and a commitment to the future

At Sterillium®, we are not just proud of our past – we are committed to shaping the future, always conducting new research and advancing the science of hygiene. For example, in one of our recent studies, we showed that alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) can achieve proper hand hygiene in just 15 seconds, compared to the previously recommended 30 seconds. This breakthrough makes the application of ABHRs in healthcare settings much more user-friendly.

Our ongoing research efforts also allow us to continually refine our products, keeping us at the forefront of hand hygiene innovation. Our primary goal is to ensure that our solutions are both highly effective and gentle on the skin, equipping healthcare professionals with the tools they need to protect both their patients and themselves.
A bottle of Sterillium® next to a pile of towels.

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Constantly setting new milestones

Since its market launch, Sterillium® has always set new hygiene standards and adapted to the needs of the time. Click through the slides and discover the latest milestones in the Sterillium® journey.

2003

Filling of Sterillium® bottles in a factory.
Sterillium classic pure®, one of the first colour- and perfume-free hand disinfectants, is being introduced to protect users with sensitive skin more gently.

2005

A doctor disinfects his hands with Sterillium®.
Sterillium® becomes the first hand disinfectant approved for surgical hand disinfection with a reduced exposure time, cutting the duration from 3 minutes to just 1.5 minutes.

2019

Close-up: Hands are disinfected with Sterillium®.
With the Observe APP for compliance measurement of hand hygiene, and the App My Hygiene SOP for optimized care processes, Sterillium® goes digital.

2023

Close-up: Hands are disinfected with “Sterillium® foam extra care”.
As the first foam-based product in our family of hand disinfectants, Sterillium® foam extra care combines improved skin compatibility with the high efficacy Sterillium® is known for.
Effectiveness to the decimal point
With 60 years of expertise, Sterillium® has set the industry standard in hand disinfection, thanks primarily to the quality of our products. Hygienic hand disinfection with Sterillium® eliminates 99.99% of bacteria on your hands, offering reliable protection against far more pathogens than many other hand disinfectants.

We are also constantly developing new solutions, always considering the ever-changing needs of the professionals who use our products every day: In 2005, Sterillium® became the first hand disinfectant approved for surgical hand disinfection with a reduced contact time, cutting it from 3 minutes to 1.5 minutes.
The number 99%, next to it an elderly lady in a wheelchair being pushed by a younger woman. In front of them is a bottle of Sterillium®.
99 ,99 %

This is why professionals choose Sterillium®

Two surgeons disinfect their hands.
Doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other medical staff have to disinfect their hands multiple times a day to protect themselves and their patients. Unfortunately, many of these healthcare professionals still use antimicrobial soaps or wash lotions, which, when applied frequently, can cause skin problems such as dryness or even hand eczema.

This is precisely why the unique combination of high efficacy and skin compatibility is so important in Sterillium®. We want medical staff to stay healthy on the job and carry out their work without limitations. Sterillium® helps them do just that, as a recent study by the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER proves. The investigation involving 24 subjects showed that frequent application of Sterillium® leads to a significant improvement in skin hydration, actively preventing and reducing skin irritations.

How Sterillium® saved Paul's career

A good example of how important it is for healthcare professionals to use a hand disinfectant that is not only effective but also skin-compatible is the story of Paul. The Scottish nurse suffered for several years from severe skin irritation caused by chlorhexidine-based hand disinfectants. The inflammations became so severe that he was on the verge of being unable to continue his job.

Paul's situation changed only when his hospital switched to Sterillium®. Shortly after, the skin reactions subsided, and he was able to resume his work without pain or other restrictions. Paul's experience is not unique. His story highlights how Sterillium® is an invaluable asset in the daily work of healthcare professionals.
A photo of nurse Paul in a hospital.

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Becoming a market leader

From hospitals and care facilities to people's homes, our iconic blue bottle is used by millions around the globe. Sold in more than 50 countries, we have an immense global demand to meet. That's why every day 47 tons of Sterillium® leave our factory in Hamburg-Stellingen to provide better hand hygiene worldwide.

Over the years and decades, Sterillium® has evolved into one of the major players in the field of hand disinfectants. With a market share of over 50% in the area of hand products, BODE Chemie, a company by the HARTMANN GROUP, became the market leader in the German market for hand disinfectants as early as 2007. By now Sterillium® is synonymous with hand disinfection in many other countries as well – and the journey continues.
Filling of Sterillium® bottles in a factory.
From Hamburg to the entire world
Sterillium® is used in over 50 countries worldwide. The majority of our products are manufactured at our main factory site in Hamburg-Stellingen.
The number 50, a blue anchor next to it and a map of Hamburg in the background.
50

Get in touch with us!

Our HARTMANN consulting team is happy to assist you with technical and product-related inquiries.

Learn more about Sterillium®

Use disinfectants safely.
Always read label and product information before use.