Phytowelt GreenTechnologies - serving the plant biotech sector

Phytowelt GreenTechnologies is a worldwide operating company whose core business is agricultural science and plant biotechnology.

Our tissue culture and genetic engineering know-how assists our clients' plant improvement R&D. For example, we can modify the amount, the quality or the composition of different compounds in a plant for sustained production of renewable primary products or alter other features like the morphology or the co­lour of flowers. Especially, our core competence - somatic hybridisation - is used to generate improved plants for conventional variety registration.

Phytowelt GreenTechnologies has mastered key biotechnologies such as in vitro cultivation of plants, cell fusion (somatic hybridisation), cryopreservation, transformation technologies as well as plant analysis and molecular marker assisted breeding (ISTR).

Our approach to link plant science and industrial biotechnology is reflected in our newly created department  “Plantdustrial Services” (see also our technology descriptions) which supports the chemical industry. For example, through phytomining (pdf, 440kB), we identify, isolate and express genes encoding plant enzymes to be introduced into microorganisms to provide new enzyme activities for fermentation processes.

Another core competency involves the transfer of knowledge and technology. We provide plant biotechnology studies and scientific consultancy, assist our clients in finding appropriate partners for their projects and, as an external partner, offer services in project coordination and in the organisation of plant biotechnology congresses and exhibitions.

Phytowelt GreenTechnologies was founded in January 2006 as a merger of Phytowelt GmbH and GreenTec GmbH, which originated as a spin-off company from the Max-Planck-Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne in 1997. The head office is based in Nettetal, whereas the R&D facilities are located in the premises of the Max-Planck-Institute for Plant Breeding Research in Cologne. CEO is Dr. Peter Welters, shareholders of Phytowelt GreenTechnologies are the directors and leading scientists of the institute.