We help people with medicines sourced from the heart of the mountain. We have harnessed this natural power to produce modern active ingredients and medicines. Since 1884.
We are Ichthyol. Tradition meets innovation.
Our mission
- We produce a unique and versatile active ingredient
- We have been employing our medical experience since 1884
- We embody the proof that naturally based medicines are both contemporary and relevant for the future
- We strive daily for sustainable health with competence and passion
Our vision
Medical Practitioners around the world are struggling with the problem of the increasing spread of resistant bacteria (MRSA) for which antibiotics are no longer effective. Intensive research is being carried out to produce new, effective antibiotics. Antibiotic-free active ingredients that effectively fight resistant bacteria are becoming increasingly important. Light and dark Ichthyol® meet this demand for the treatment of skin infections. Extracted from natural shale rock, the Ichthyol® active ingredients fight bacteria that cause skin infections – including resistant bacteria such as (MRSA)¹ ². Another advantage being that treatment with Ichthyol® does not create newly resistant bacteria³. We see it as our task to fully exploit the potential of these active ingredients through the distribution of the existing portfolio and the further development of innovative medicinal products.
1: Idelevich, E.A. and K. Becker, In Vitro Activity of Sodium Bituminosulfonate: Susceptibility Data for the Revival of an Old Antimicrobial. Microb Drug Resist, 2020. 26(11): S. 1405-1409.
2: Sethmann, A. Update on the antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated skin abscesses. Evid Self Med, 2022. 2(220035).
3: Blisse, M. E.A. Idelevich, and K. Becker, Investigation of In-Vitro Adaptation toward Sodium Bituminosulfonate in Staphylococcus aureus. Microorganisms, 2020. 8(12): S. 1962.
Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic eczema and allergic eczema, amongst others, are often accompanied by excruciating itching and are usually treated with highly effective glucocorticoids (cortisone). However, due to possible side effects, the use of cortisone creams or gels should be restricted in time and only used locally. Especially in sensitive children’s skin, cortisones can only be used to a limited extent. This presents a problem especially in treating chronic skin inflammations. Ichthyol® PALE has an anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect without cortisone. Used in creams, bath additives or shampoos, this active ingredient can usefully supplement the treatment of inflammatory, itchy skin diseases and reduce the use of cortisone.
Medicines are a matter of trust. You can rely on the consistently high quality of our products and active ingredients.
From the extraction of the oil shale rock through the production of the active ingredients, to the manufacturing of the medicinal products and formulation substances, all steps are managed by the company and are carefully controlled. Made in Europe: the entire production processes take place in France, Austria and Germany and are thus subject to the strictest quality controls.
From Hamburg to the world
Around 100 employees work at the company’s facilities located in France, Austria, and the headquarters in Germany. Our products are distributed worldwide from Hamburg.
Independent family-owned company
Since its foundation in 1884 up to the current time, the Ichthyol-Gesellschaft has been 100% family owned. This means we have short decision-making processes, flexibility, and independence. We place the needs of patients, pharmacy teams and doctors at the centre of our activities.
Ichthyol under digital transformation
Whether patients, pharmacy teams or medical practitioners – we are all increasingly seeking information about diseases and their treatment options through online services. We are very much part of this evolution. Since 2018 Ichthyol-Gesellschaft has been increasingly developing its digital communication platforms.
Business areas
We produce and distribute medicinal products in addition to pre-formulated bases and raw materials for the formulation of treatments for skin and joint diseases. A large proportion of the portfolio includes Ichthyol® active ingredients, which are extracted from natural oil shale rock. Our products are manufactured, marketed and distributed worldwide by the company headquarters in Hamburg.
Globally active with strongly-placed partners. Ichthyol-Gesellschaft supplies its corporate customers with Ichthyol® raw materials which are used worldwide to produce the medicines and cosmetics of well-known brands. We have established strong partners for the distribution of our products in the DACH region: Merz Pharma (Schweiz) AG, Sanova Pharma GesmbH.
We are actively seeking further distribution partners to expand the worldwide distribution of our brands – contact us!
For Ichthyol-Gesellschaft, innovation means constant curiosity and continually improving our products.
- The continuous further development and modernisation of our established products is a key concern. An example: in 2021 and 2022, perfume additives that could trigger allergies were removed from the majority of our products.
- The Ichthyol® active ingredients are naturally based complex mixtures of organic sulphur compounds. They are the subject of current research projects in cooperation with the Helmholtz Centre Munich, the University of Rostock and the Fraunhofer Institute Frankfurt.
- The broad spectrum of efficacy of light and dark Ichthyol® has been proven by clinical studies over decades. Modern research methods enable us to continuously conduct further research into their action mechanisms.
- We are highly engaged in the development of new medicinal products for the treatment of inflammatory and bacterial skin diseases.
Sustainability
We extract the power from the mountain to produce effective medicines which are well tolerated. Especially for children and adults with chronic or recurrent skin diseases, our oil shale-based medicines are a valuable alternative to cortisone or antibiotics. Whether related to health or in our dealings with nature, sustainability is of major significance to us.
- The extraction of the oil shale rock in the French Jura Mountains is carried out in strict compliance with nature conservation regulations. Extraction takes place completely underground and is not externally visible.
- Mining tunnels as biotopes: Bats love tunnels and are welcome! In our work we take care not to disturb the resident bats. The most frequent visitor is the endangered Greater Horseshoe Bat. Other endangered bat species, such as the greater mouse-eared bat, the brown long-eared bat, the Brandt’s mouse and the lesser horseshoe bat have also been sighted in the tunnel galleries.
- The active ingredient, in the oil shale rock that we extract, is highly concentrated meaning the quantity of rock needed to manufacture our products is relatively small.
- Ichthyol® active ingredient production takes place in Seefeld in Tyrol, located on the border of the Karwendel National Park. This emphasises the obligation to produce in harmony with nature and in compliance with strict environmental regulations. Waste or by-products of production are recycled as far as possible or disposed of professionally. The electricity required for production is generated as far as possible from hydropower. For effective climate protection, the release of carbon dioxide (CO2 footprint) is determined and measures for further reduction are being developed.
