PSI (PHOTON SYSTEMS INSTRUMENTS), SPOL. SRO

Their core work

PSI is a Czech SME that designs and manufactures scientific instruments for measuring photosynthesis and plant phenotyping. Their core business centers on optical and fluorescence-based measurement systems used in plant science research — from lab-scale chlorophyll fluorometers to large-scale phenotyping platforms. In H2020 projects, they contribute instrumentation expertise and phenotyping technology to consortia studying crop improvement, stress tolerance, and photosynthetic efficiency.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

PSI's early H2020 involvement (2016) focused on fundamental photosynthesis research and technology transfer frameworks (SE2B, PlantHUB). By 2020, their work shifted decisively toward applied agricultural outcomes — crop breeding, stress tolerance in potato, and translational plant science with direct socioeconomic impact (CAPITALISE, ADAPT). This trajectory shows a company moving from basic measurement science toward instruments and methods that serve practical crop improvement.

PSI is moving toward agricultural application of their phenotyping technology, making them increasingly relevant for consortia focused on climate-resilient crops and sustainable food production.

How they like to work

PSI operates exclusively as a participant, never leading consortia — consistent with their role as a specialist instrument provider embedded in larger research efforts. With 58 unique partners across 16 countries from just 4 projects, they join broad, multi-partner consortia rather than small focused teams. This pattern suggests they are a trusted technology supplier that research groups bring in for specific measurement and phenotyping capabilities.

Despite only 4 projects, PSI has built a wide network of 58 partners across 16 countries, reflecting participation in large European consortia. Their reach spans most of the EU, with no obvious geographic concentration beyond their Czech base.

What sets them apart

PSI occupies a rare niche as a commercial manufacturer of plant phenotyping and photosynthesis measurement instruments that also participates directly in research consortia. Unlike universities or research institutes, they bring production-ready instrumentation to projects, meaning their technology contributions can be deployed immediately after a project ends. For consortium builders, PSI offers the combination of deep measurement science expertise with commercial-grade hardware delivery.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CAPITALISE
  Their largest project (EUR 898,543) combining photosynthesis, phenotyping, plant breeding, and translational science — represents PSI's fullest integration of capabilities toward agricultural sustainability.
• ADAPT
  Focused specifically on accelerating stress-tolerant potato development, showing PSI's instruments applied to a single high-impact crop with clear food security relevance.