Company
Who we are
and what we do
and what we do
Our mission
We are Phytonics
Our team at Phytonics is more than just a group of employees - it is a community characterised by openness, collaboration and mutual respect. We focus on the exchange of ideas and critical reflection. We value when our team members act independently and play an active role in shaping our working environment.
Our aim is to create a culture in which every employee approaches their tasks with passion and commitment. We believe that everyone can and should contribute their individual strengths and skills. This collaboration results in innovative solutions and ideas that help us to achieve our goals and realise our vision.
Our aim is to create a culture in which every employee approaches their tasks with passion and commitment. We believe that everyone can and should contribute their individual strengths and skills. This collaboration results in innovative solutions and ideas that help us to achieve our goals and realise our vision.
As a company, we attach great importance to our employees identifying with their tasks and making them their own. This sometimes requires a rethink and a willingness to break new ground. But this is exactly what makes our team so special and enables us to be successful together.
Our story
Milestones
2012-2017
Doctorate on light management in solar cells
Ruben Hünig, one of the founders of Phytonics, completed his doctorate between 2012 and 2017 on the topic of light management in solar cells. This research work laid the foundation for future developments in the field of anti-reflective coatings.
2013-2014
First replication of plant surfaces and outstanding results
In 2013, Ruben Hünig achieved the first successful replication of plant surfaces. The idea behind it: Plants are optimised to interact with light and have therefore sometimes developed a surface structure that can capture light particularly well - why not use this evolutionary engineering achievement for solar modules? Particularly impressive results were achieved in 2014 when analysing rose petals. Published under the title Flower Power: Exploiting Plants' Epidermal Structures for Enhanced Light Harvesting in Thin-Film Solar Cells. Advanced Optical Materials, 2016. DOI: 10.1002/adom.201600046
2014-2015
Investigations through experiments and simulations
Optical simulations (wave- and beam-optical) and experiments on plant surface structures have significantly expanded our understanding of how the technology works and laid the foundations for its further development. The research work was supported by numerous master's theses, including those of Raphael Schmager and Benjamin Fritz, who made significant contributions from 2015 and later co-founded Phytonics.
2015-2019
Research into microstructures and commercial manufacturing processes
In his master's thesis, Benjamin Fritz investigated the role of disorder in the conical microstructures. In his subsequent doctorate, he focused on the benefits of these structures for insect protection (avoidance of polarised light reflections) and demonstrated a commercially relevant manufacturing process for the first time by hot stamping the plant structures into various polymers. The use of these structures on open-field solar modules in 2019 provided the decisive impetus for the founding of Phytonics.
2017-2019
Research into reflection reduction and light management
In his master's thesis, Raphael Schmager investigated the reflex-reducing effect of nano-folds on microstructures. In his doctoral thesis, he focussed on light management in innovative solar cell concepts.
2020
Successful application for EXIST research transfer funding programme
In 2020, Ruben Hünig, Moritz Luck, Benjamin Fritz and Raphael Schmager successfully applied for the renowned EXIST research transfer funding programme, which laid the foundation for the company.
2021
Founding of Phytonics GmbH
Phytonics GmbH was officially founded in 2021 by Ruben Hünig, Moritz Luck, Benjamin Fritz and Raphael Schmager. The aim of the company is to develop and market new solutions in the field of anti-reflective coating for photovoltaic systems.
2022
Building a powerful team
At the beginning of 2022, Phytonics had already built up a strong team of ten experts in the field of micro-optics and photovoltaics to drive research and development forward.
2022
First commercial module coated in full format
The first commercial full-format solar module was successfully coated with the newly developed anti-reflective coating on 1 October 2022.
2023
Two pilot roofs glare-free
In June 2023, two pilot roofs were successfully deglared with the anti-reflective coating, impressively demonstrating the practicality and customer benefits of the technology.
2023
Move into our production hall
Following the successful pilot projects, Phytonics began scaling up its production and rented a technical centre in Karlsruhe. From now on, this site will be used for the development of production processes and now also for production.
2024
Market launch of XRF anti-glare film
After long development work and many hurdles, June 2024 was the long-awaited market launch of the XRF anti-glare film - not only for Phytonics, but also for the many customers who are already waiting for our solution to their glare problem.
Phytonics solutions
Avoid glare from PV!
Glare from solar modules is a common problem, especially in residential areas and near roads and airports. Our XRF anti-glare film offers the perfect solution: this special film prevents glare even at unfavourable angles, ensuring sustainable and trouble-free use of your PV system.
Contact
We look forward
to hear from you
