Alkaline hydrolysis (aquamation) is a new environmentally friendly alternative to cremation and burial that does not yet exist in Germany. The process of alkaline hydrolysis is essentially an accelerated variant of natural decomposition. In practice, alkaline hydrolysis is often referred to as aquamation or resomation.

Just as the dank & treu animal crematorium established the first horse crematorium in Germany in 2017, it has now become the first to introduce aquamation for horses. Aquamation/resomation is also offered for pets.

Aquamation is significantly more environmentally friendly compared to cremation as well as any other types of burial. Alkaline hydrolysis saves 90% of energy costs compared to cremation. Furthermore, aquamation does not produce any harmful greenhouse gases. The ashes can be handed over to the family or pet owner after aquamation in the same way as after cremation. However, these ashes are lighter in colour than the ashes of a cremated animal, as they are without the carbon discolouration that occurs during cremation. Alkaline hydrolysis yields on average about 20% more ash than cremation. The ashes from aquamation, like the ashes from cremation, can be used for any type of memorial, such as cremation jewellery, mementos, glass, diamonds, clay memorials, tree urns, etc.. “Do you have any questions about aquamation at dank & treu? We will be happy to help you and look forward to your enquiry.

During aquamation, also known as resomation, the pet’s body is decomposed in a closed basin by natural alkaline hydrolysis, so that only the bones of the pet remain after the process is complete. These are then dried, ground for shipment in an urn and presented to the pet owner. The alkaline treatment solution is made up of 95% water and 5% alkaline liquid. When heated appropriately, this accelerates the natural decomposition process of the animal’s body.The combination of gentle water flow, warm temperature and alkalinity is used to accelerate the natural process of decomposition. The organic body of the animal is thus reduced to its actual building blocks.At the end of the process, no DNA or RNA is left. The sterile process water is released for recycling and the inorganic bone minerals remain. The remaining bones of the pet are then rinsed, dried and placed in the urn, which is then handed over to the pet owner.

All fluids and substances used are safe for the environment. The water-based process uses a solution of 95% water and 5% alkali. These substances used in this process are the same alkalis used in common cosmetic products, body washes, shaving creams and even food preparation. At the end of alkaline hydrolysis, the substances are completely consumed, neutralised and no longer remain in the water solution.The need for water is incredibly low. Our pet aquamation process uses the same amount of water that would be used to bathe a pet. At the end of the process, 99% of the water is returned to wastewater treatment, where it is treated in the same way as other wastewater.With aquamation/resomation, there are no emissions of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. No fossil fuels are burned in the alkaline hydrolysis process. The process is still very energy efficient – more than 90% energy saving compared to cremation, with 1/10 of the carbon footprint. 

The first facility in Europe to be approved for aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis/resomation) in animals in accordance with EU Regulation 1069/2009 is located at the Dank & Treu animal crematorium in Schwäbisch Hall (Germany).