Lactobio to help reduce methane emissions from agriculture

Emissions of methane from cows must be reduced by 50 percent. That is the goal of the large-scale research project “NO-METHANE”, making Denmark a pioneer within eco-friendly agriculture. Innovation Fund Denmark invests DKK 16.1 million in the project.

Ruminants account for almost 40 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. Therefore, in recent years there has been an intense focus of research into finding ways to reduce emission of the highly potent green-house gas.

With the NO-METHANE project, cows will make a much smaller climate footprint. The researchers behind this will develop a new feed additive for cattle, potentially cutting emissions by 50 %. By combining three different solutions, together it can reduce the methane-forming processes in the cow's rumen, without compromising productivity or health.

As a key partner in the project, Lactobio will develop one of the three solutions based on Lactobio's Microbiome Technology Platform. Lactobio will isolate and develop lactic acid bacterial strains that limit methane-forming archaea in the rumen. Previously, Lactobio have been successful in isolating and developing potent lactic acid bacterial strains against resistant bacteria and fungi.

“Such a large contribution to the project will boost the development of a unique green climate solution and contribute to a significant methane reduction from agriculture worldwide. Denmark can become a pioneer with this important project and we are proud that we can contribute with our microbial solutions to the project in collaboration with the universities and other Danish companies,” says Søren Kjærulff, CEO of Lactobio A/S.

Actors in the project are: Aarhus University, University of Copenhagen, Arla, Danish Crown, SEGES, Lactobio, Vilofoss and DLG.

The research project is expected to have a duration of at least four years.