MS Tech Ltd. announced that its Food Safety & Agritech Division has been awarded an approximately $1.7 million research and development grant from the Israel Innovation Authority. The grant supports the company's participation in the "Green Soil" National Consortium, a collaborative initiative focused on developing advanced biotechnology solutions for environmental monitoring and purification. This funding recognizes MS Tech's strategic role in advancing biosensor technologies for critical environmental applications.
The "Green Soil" Consortium, chaired and led by Elbit Systems, brings together 10 industrial companies and 16 leading academic research groups. The consortium's primary objective is developing biological technologies dedicated to treating, monitoring, and diagnosing environmental pollutants in soil and groundwater. These pollutants include Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), fuel residues, toxic liquids, and explosives residues. The consortium employs biological components, biosensors, bacteria, and innovative soil penetration techniques to address these environmental challenges.
According to Doron Shalom, CEO of MS Tech, the company's selection followed a rigorous scientific and technological due diligence process by the Israel Innovation Authority. "MS Tech is honored to once again be selected to participate in this national initiative," Shalom stated. "The Israel Innovation Authority recognized MS Tech's strategic role in advancing biosensors-driven technologies, and awarded the R&D grant to support the further development of its biosensors and bio-convergence capabilities under the 'Green Soil' Consortium."
The innovative developments emerging from this consortium are expected to generate effective and eco-friendly environmental solutions for a market estimated at billions of dollars locally. Furthermore, the technologies developed could open new global markets for consortium participants estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars. This represents significant economic potential alongside the environmental benefits of the research.
MS Tech is developing biosensors designed to transform early diagnostics and enable field screening in seconds. The company's proven sensor technologies are already deployed in over 72 countries and have gradually replaced older analytical instrumentation. According to Shalom, "Our proven sensor technologies are deployed in over 72 countries and have gradually replaced old analytical instrumentation given our green, non-radioactive and gas-free products enabling a dramatic reduction in cost per sample and operational expenses while keeping our planet green and safe."
The company is demonstrating how its proven nanosensors and biosensors can become "Dual-Use" technologies applied to new market applications supporting soil decontamination, land rehabilitation, and future development across multiple civilian sectors. This represents an expansion of MS Tech's technology applications beyond their current uses in food safety, homeland security, biomedical diagnostics, and other sectors.
Shalom expressed appreciation for the recognition from the Israel Innovation Authority, noting the authority's previous support through the LIQUIDBX Consortium. He also acknowledged Elbit Systems for leading the consortium efforts and thanked the academic and industry partners who have been working intensively on this project for over a year. The collaborative nature of this initiative highlights the importance of partnerships between industry, academia, and government in addressing complex environmental challenges.
The implications of this development extend beyond immediate technological advancements. Effective soil and groundwater monitoring and purification technologies could significantly impact environmental remediation efforts worldwide. As contamination from PFAS and other persistent pollutants becomes an increasing concern globally, the development of rapid, cost-effective detection and monitoring solutions represents a critical step toward more sustainable environmental management practices. The consortium's work could establish new standards for environmental monitoring while creating economic opportunities in the growing green technology sector. More information about MS Tech's technologies can be found at https://www.ms-technologies.com.
