About us
Out of passion – the path to BioTioo
Dear visitors, hello camping friends, my name is Sascha Gerner. I am the designer – if you will, the "inventor" – of BioTioo. In conversations at fairs and events, I often meet interested parties and users of our dry separation toilet, and they often ask the same question: "How did you come up with the idea to design an ultra-compact composting toilet, develop it further for a patent, and finally produce it in Germany?" Well, I am passionate about travelling.
Since 1997 in my own camper. Before that, for about two decades by motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot. And throughout all those years, camping vehicles and their technical equipment have made enormous progress: solar systems, battery technology, compact heating units for warmth and hot water on the move. All with the goal of being able to travel even more independently. Yet the freedom on wheels has so far ended the moment the toilet cassette is full. Every two or three days, a stop at a disposal station is necessary. And what if there are no such stations? As is often the case in Ireland and many other travel countries? Then the trip is often planned depending on the locations of sanitary stations.
That could not be the answer!
The constant smell of the sanitation additives in the vehicle also personally bothered me, because when I smell something, I also absorb part of the substances… For me, that has nothing to do with the desire for self-sufficient, nature-conscious travel. A practical alternative had to be found. The original idea was to build a compact composting toilet for personal use in my Ford Nugget. Perhaps a version with purchased components would be possible. But the tiny, cramped storage compartment in the Westfalia proved to be a stubborn opponent. And wood as a toilet material was, for me as an engineer, only an option as a makeshift solution. And so the idea matured to design a professional construction. Made from high-quality materials, hygienic, durable, compact, and at the same time light. Following the motto: If the toilet works in the very compact Ford Nugget, then it will also work in all larger campers! And will find more convinced users.
An ambitious development goal
The BioTioo was meant to become the most compact composting toilet on the market with the largest urine tank. At the same time, the idea was born to create a modular system so that it could be adapted to different areas of use. Not every camper is on the road for weeks or wants a composting toilet. Weekend users might prefer a simple and thus cheaper "bag version" of the dry separation toilet. And users of expedition vehicles or tiny houses? Here, a diversion of the urine into a tank under the vehicle or the small house would be sensible. The development of countless prototypes began – at first, the models were made from rigid foam boards, later from aluminum sheets. And many versions were needed to make the vision of the most compact composting toilet come true.
From the idea to the award: The success story of BioTioo
In autumn 2019, a development level was finally reached to file the patent for BioTioo with the German Patent Office: Because the dry-separating toilet became not only exceptionally compact, but thanks to the removable solid waste container with integrated stirring mechanism, it also allows an unrivalled fast service when emptying the solids. Only a year later did all components reach production maturity, and the pre-series of BioTioo was presented to the public at the Caravan Salon in August 2020. Then everything happened very quickly: Already in October 2020, the first customers were supplied, and the demand initially exceeded the somewhat cautiously planned production capacity. The first customers had to wait a few weeks for the delivery of the dry-separating toilet. In January 2021, a small triumph followed: BioTioo won the innovation prize of the European camping industry, the European Innovation Award in the category of sustainability. This award proves that the idea of sustainability has long since arrived in the camper community.
For more self-reliance and lastingness while travelling
One year later – in February 2022 – the completely revised fan LV2 sees the light of day. With new control electronics, it offers 35% more airflow at the same power consumption. It also received better sealing and a more robust housing material. At the Germany site, we not only produce the fans but also the entire BioTioo. More precisely in Überlingen on Lake Constance – a place of longing from my youth. Because we believe it matters where a product is made. Due to the proximity to our customers and the numerous camper van workshops in the country, we can tailor our dry separating toilet perfectly to the needs of local campers. After all, a compact panel van based on the Fiat Ducato is not an American large motorhome. The cramped motorhome bathrooms require a custom solution: compact, light, and 100% chemical-free. For more independence and sustainability while traveling. In this spirit, I look forward to further conversations – at fairs, meetings, or on the road. With best wishes, Sascha Gerner
