Somycel

Somycel is a leading French biotechnology company specializing in the research, development, and production of mushroom spawn (mycelium). Founded in 1944 and headquartered in Langeais, France, the company is a global pioneer in fungal genetics and the industrialization of high-quality inoculum for the mushroom industry. In 1991, Somycel was acquired by Sylvan Inc., the world's largest mushroom spawn producer, and it currently serves as a major R&D and manufacturing center for Sylvan's European operations. The company's work focuses on the selection and breeding of high-yield, disease-resistant strains of Agaricus bisporus and other edible and medicinal fungi. Additionally, Somycel is actively involved in circular bio-economy initiatives, such as the MYCOCIRCLE project, which explores the use of fungal biomass as a sustainable alternative to animal-derived ingredients in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors.