Fonterra turns to DSM to lower carbon footprint

While the organizations have a long-standing working relationship, the new collaboration is based around DSM’s feed additive product Bovaer, which reduces methane emissions from cows by more than 30% in non-pasture-based farming systems.

Fonterra said it recognizes biological emissions produced by cows are a major contributor to the country’s overall emissions and is working to find ways to reduce them.

Fonterra group director Farm Source Richard Allen said, “We need to find a breakthrough in reducing emissions from cows and Bovaer could provide exactly that. This work with DSM is an exciting opportunity for the coop.”​

Fonterra chief science & technology officer, Prof. Jeremy Hill, said the coop wants to explore and validate how Bovaer could work in New Zealand, where cows are predominantly fed grass.

“We also see this as an opportunity to further accelerate our global leadership in low-carbon dairy products to create more value for our New Zealand milk,”​ Hill said.

“Fonterra is working closely with DSM New Zealand to ensure that any innovation is well tested and can easily be distributed and used by our farmers.”​

Mark van Nieuwland, global program head for DSM Nutritional Products said, “Both companies have worked together for many years, and it’s a pleasure to extend this to the field of sustainability and climate change.​

“With Fonterra, we have an important partner to potentially commercialize Bovaer in New Zealand and globally. We look forward to combining our expertise and passion.”​

Bovaer was featured by the World Resources Institute as one of the 10 global breakthrough technologies that could help feed the world sustainably and,​ if trials prove successful, it could help continue New Zealand’s role in low carbon dairy production.