The most widely known and effective method of sterilisation is by formaldehyde.

The earliest published used of formaldehyde as an antimicrobial dated to 1886 by Loew and Fisher. Subsequently it was promoted as a vapour phase fumigant to infected enclosures. Its later use has been extensive in a variety of applications, including hospitals, agriculture, egg incubators, cold sterilisation, toxin and vaccine inactivation, urinary tract infections.

The formaldehyde is a toxic gas that can be dangerous for the staff involved in its use. It is therefore necessary to neutralise it by ammonia producing a harmless by-product.

The "Formalintec" produced by International Pbi is an automatic system that by heating first transform formaldehyde from the liquid state to the gas state and subsequently neutralises the formaldehyde by ammonia producing a harmless by-product.

The "Formalintec" is suitable for disinfection from 100 to 500 cubic meter environment, but it is possible to increase the volume up to 15.000 cubic metres.