For 75 years, German manufacturer MELAG has helped dental practices, clinics and healthcare facilities protect what matters most: patients, teams and confidence in every reprocessed instrument.
Founded in Berlin in 1951, MELAG began at a time when the consequences of the Second World War were still clearly visible. Materials were scarce and improvisation was essential. Founder Alfred Gebauer responded with ingenuity, repurposing an aluminium lunch box as the housing for the company’s first hot-air steriliser. It was an unconventional beginning to what would become a 75-year journey of innovation in medical technology.
That inventive spirit has continued to shape MELAG ever since. In the decades that followed, the company helped pioneer fractionated pre-vacuum technology for medical and dental practices, enabling reliable steam sterilisation of complex hollow instruments such as handpieces. Later, MELAG’s patented double-jacket technology set new benchmarks for cycle speed and steam quality – innovations that continue to support healthcare professionals around the world today.
From a two-person business in Berlin, MELAG has grown into a leading global specialist in instrument reprocessing, supporting healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries. Now in its third generation of family ownership, MELAG remains focused exclusively on solutions for instrument reprocessing, developed and manufactured in Germany.
A new chapter for Australia and New Zealand
MELAG has been successfully represented in Australia and New Zealand for more than 25 years, earning the trust of healthcare professionals through quality, reliability and performance.
On 1 July 2026, MELAG took the next step by establishing its own subsidiary in Sydney while continuing to work closely with its trusted distribution partners. This combined approach brings MELAG even closer to practices, clinics and healthcare facilities across Australia and New Zealand. Customers now benefit from direct access to the manufacturer’s expertise while continuing to receive the local support and service they know from MELAG’s established partner network.
The new structure provides:
Direct access to MELAG’s manufacturer expertise
Reliable stock availability through a warehouse in Sydney
A dedicated local MELAG sales and support team in Australia
Faster access to product information, training and manufacturer support
Continued cooperation with trusted local distribution partners
For dental practices in particular, this closer connection comes at an important time. Appointment schedules are full, staffing resources are limited, documentation needs to be readily available, and instruments must be reprocessed and ready for use as quickly and predictably as possible.
One system for the entire reprocessing workflow
The MELAG System Solution connects cleaning and disinfection, packaging, sterilisation, documentation and approval within one coordinated hygiene workflow.
Washer-disinfectors, sealing devices, autoclaves from 5 to 200 litres and software solutions are designed to work together. Aligned operating concepts help simplify staff training, reduce interface issues and support greater process reliability throughout the entire reprocessing cycle. For practices and clinics, this means more than purchasing individual devices. It means creating an integrated instrument reprocessing system with one experienced partner – from cleaning to documented release.
The all-new MELAtherm 20 completes the MELAG portfolio for automated cleaning and disinfection. Designed for high-throughput environments, the large-capacity washer-disinfector can reprocess instruments for up to 90 patients per day. AquaBoost Technology supports consistently high cleaning performance, while more than 90 accessories enable flexible loading across two levels. Smart features also help reduce routine tasks and simplify documentation. Together with MELAG’s sealing, sterilisation and documentation solutions, MELAtherm 20 gives practices the opportunity to build a coordinated workflow around their individual requirements.
75 years of experience – and closer than ever
Combining decades of specialist expertise with a stronger local presence in Australia and New Zealand means healthcare professionals now have more direct access to MELAG technology, manufacturer knowledge and local support. Our goal remains the same: to make daily hygiene workflows more reliable, efficient and future-ready – supporting practices, teams and patients every step of the way.
Thank you for your trust and loyalty over the years. We look forward to continuing this journey together and supporting healthcare professionals across Australia and New Zealand even more closely in the future.
