Empa-Spin-off wins financial support

MycoSolutions develops niche products based on indigenous organisms which are used to combat wood destroying fungi in a biological and environmentally responsible manner. These products are used for applications such as protecting wooden masts, urban tree populations or in ecologically-based agricultural activities. In addition «MycoWood» products include, for example, violins which are made out of biotechnologically refined tonewood whose acoustic qualities are so enhanced that they stand comparison with priceless instruments by Stradivarius.

Francis Schwarze, Empa researcher and founder of MycoSolutions, has over many years conducted numerous studies on the biological control of fungi which attack wood in Europe, Australia and Asia. Amongst other achievements he has developed new screening methods which allow the efficient identification and selection of promising biological agents.

Swisscom has joined Empa and MycoSolutions as the industrial partner over the past two years within the framework of a CTI sponsored project. It is now supporting the young enterprise in the industrial implementation phase of its work, with particular emphasis on the applications of MycoSolutions’ products to Swisscom’s landline infrastructure. «Swisscom’s support, together with the associated financial injection, makes it possible for us to globally market the results of our many years’ of research at Empa in the form of innovative and environmentally friendly products», says Schwarze.