About Us
Out of passion – the path to BioTioo
Dear visitors, hello camping friends, my name is Sascha Gerner. I am the designer – or rather, the "inventor" – of the BioToi. In conversations at trade fairs and events, I repeatedly meet interested parties and users of our dry-separating toilet, and they often ask the same question: "How does one come up with the idea of designing an ultra-compact composting toilet, developing it into a patent, and finally producing it in Germany?" Well, I am a passionate traveler.
Since 1997, I've been traveling in my own campervan. Before that, I spent roughly two decades traveling by motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot. And over all these years, campervans and their technical accessories have undergone enormous advancements: solar panels, battery technology, compact heating systems for warmth and hot water in the vehicle. All with the aim of enabling even more independent travel. But until now, the freedom on wheels ended the moment the toilet cassette was full. This meant a stop at a disposal station every two or three days. And what if there are no such stations? As is often the case in Ireland and many other travel destinations? Then the trip is frequently planned around the locations of sanitary facilities.
That couldn't be the solution!
The constant smell of the toilet chemicals in the vehicle also bothered me personally, because if I smell something, I also inhale some of the substances… For me, that has nothing to do with the desire for self-sufficient, eco-conscious travel. A practical alternative was needed. The initial 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, awkwardly shaped storage compartment in the Westfalia proved to be a stubborn opponent. And as an engineer, wood as a toilet material was only an option for me as a temporary solution. And so the idea matured to design a professional construction. Made of high-quality materials, hygienic, durable, compact, and lightweight at the same time. Following the motto: If the toilet works in the very compact Ford Nugget, then it will also work in all larger campervans! And it will find other satisfied users.
An ambitious development goal
The BioTioo was intended to be 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 uses. Not every camper is away for weeks at a time or even wants a composting toilet. Weekend users might prefer a simpler and therefore cheaper "bag version" of the dry toilet. And what about users of expedition vehicles or tiny houses? For them, draining the urine into a tank under the vehicle or tiny house would be practical. The development of countless prototypes began – initially, the models were made of rigid foam panels, later of aluminum sheets. And many versions were needed to make the vision of the most compact composting toilet a reality.
From idea to award: The success story of BioToi
In the fall of 2019, the BioToi had finally reached a development stage where it was possible to file a patent application with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. The composting toilet was not only exceptionally compact, but its removable solids container with integrated agitator also enabled unrivaled speed for emptying the solids. It wasn't until a year later that all components were ready for series production, and the pre-production BioToi was presented to the public at the Caravan Salon in August 2020. Then everything happened very quickly: the first customers received their deliveries in October 2020, and demand initially exceeded the somewhat modest production capacity. The first customers had to wait several weeks for delivery of their dry composting toilets. Then, in January 2021, came a small triumph: the BioToi won the European Innovation Award in the Sustainability category, the innovation prize of the European camping industry. This award demonstrates that the concept of sustainability has long since arrived in the camper community.
For more independence and sustainability when traveling
A year later – in February 2022 – the completely redesigned LV2 fan saw the light of day. With new control electronics, it offers 35% more airflow while using the same amount of electricity. It also features improved sealing and a more robust housing material. We produce not only the fans but also the entire BioToi system in Germany. More precisely, in Überlingen on Lake Constance – a place I longed to visit in my youth. Because we believe that where a product is manufactured matters. Our proximity to our customers and the numerous campervan manufacturers in the country allows us to tailor our dry-separating toilet system to the needs of local campers in the best possible way. After all, a compact panel van based on the Fiat Ducato is not a large American motorhome. The limited bathroom space in motorhomes requires a customized solution: compact, lightweight, and 100% chemical-free. For greater independence and sustainability while traveling. With that in mind, I look forward to further discussions – at trade fairs, meetings, or on the road. Best regards, Sascha Gerner
