Zero Methane Agriculture

CH4 Global Ltd (CH4) is seeking to impact global climate change in a significant and disruptive way through building a global, multi-billion-dollar red seaweed (Asparagopsis Armata and Asparagopsis Taxiformis) aquaculture business. CSIRO Queensland has developed FutureFeed in collaboration with James Cook University and Meat and Livestock Australia. The CSIRO patented technology has shown in trials that high level reductions (60-99%) in methane emissions are possible when As-paragopsis containing the active ingredient ‘bromoform’ at around 2% dry weight is itself fed as 2% by dry weight in formulated feed to dairy and beef cattle. Additionally, cows fed this feed eat approximately 50% less by weight and still produce the same productivity and quality of beef and milk with no adverse effects on the health of the cow or product quality. CH4 Ltd’s major challenge is to produce the biomass (dry weight) of Asparagopsis required to meet a ‘tight’ timeline, given that the chosen species has not previously been grown other than in very small quantities, generally in non-commercial environments.
There are a multitude of approaches to methane reduction in ruminants under development or in market around the world. They vary from probiotics, supplements (garlic, oils, tannins etc.), various natural and bred grasses, vaccines, cow and sheep breeding programs and synthetic chemicals. Data available suggests competitive initiatives will not be piloted until at least 2024, giving a two-year market advantage if CH4 can be in scale production by the end of 2022.
This forward-thinking global business has set up its Australian Head Office in South Australia and is working with the Department for Trade and Investment (DTI), South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI) and Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) to establish algae aquaculture in South Australian waters.

Investment opportunity

Seeking capital expenditure, J/V partners and off-take customers

Investor information

Documents

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Project status update

In 2020/21 we will build the world’s first commercial supply of Asparagopsis in South Australia, – a 20 Ha water site coupled with a 2 Ha land processing site. We are already aligning local off-take with feedlot and dairy producers to meet their objective of a sustainable, carbon-free product. Effectively, we have created a local South Australian ecosystem to sustainably supply 10,000 cows annually.
We understand the economics of production and estimate the site will generate just over $5 million profit each year and employ 20-25 people. The model is scalable and more sites can be built in regions of SA that are economically challenged where Asparagopsis is available (which is many regions). We estimate that somewhere between 30 and 50 of them could be built across the state in regional coastal towns – each creating local economic development, social impact and environmental benefits. All of South Australia’s 75,000 dairy cows could be supplied from 7 or so such sites. This would significantly increase the value of the dairy industry with milk from “carbon neutral cows”. We estimate the carbon footprint of milk from cows will be lower than any other nut of plant based ‘milks’. That same milk from these cows can be then used to make premium yoghurt, cheese, chocolate and other milk related products that can be premium position for sustainable products locally and exported. People can literally eat their way to positively impacting climate change. The same is also true for beef feed lots that would use the product – low carbon beef for food.

Project dependencies

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Technology utilised

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Financial information

Investment sought: A$40M

Project highlights

  • The initial target is to be first to market globally in California in 2022, where there are 1.8 million cows that will have to comply with a 40% reduction in methane. This is an estimated $1.3 Billion market export opportunity. CH4 is focused on supply of 10% of this market by 2022 from aquaculture farms and processing facilities located in New Zealand, South Australia and Fiji.
  • New Zealand’s 10 million cows creates a total NZD $7.3 Billion opportunity for CH4. CH4 believes that proposed New Zealand regulations for methane reduction can be dramatically exceeded with its proprietary solution.
  • CH4 believe that better husbandry methods in 2023 could double yields and a parallel onshore program they have developed with world experts in Australia and New Zealand for onshore cultivation of seedlings is expected to increase bromoform content in young “seedlings” by up to 5 times.

Key organisations

  • CH4 South Australia

Project timelines

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Expected end date
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Funding round finish date
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Website

ch4global.com View all investment opportunities