In the urgent fight against climate change, methane emissions present both a critical challenge and an extraordinary opportunity. With over 80 times the warming potential of CO₂ over a 20-year period, methane demands immediate action—particularly in livestock agriculture, which contributes nearly one-third of human-caused methane emissions globally.
The search for an effective livestock methane reduction solution has led to an unexpected source: the ocean. A remarkable red seaweed known as Asparagopsis, which grows in temperate and tropical waters, produces compounds that have evolved as a natural defense mechanism in marine environments. When added to cattle feed in small amounts, these same compounds disrupt the methane-producing process in the rumen, the first chamber of a cow’s digestive system.
CH4 Global has pioneered a cattle feed additive based on Asparagopsis that is formulated to ensure consistent, stable levels of methane-reducing compounds. The product integrates seamlessly with existing feeding systems, allowing farmers to adopt it without significant operational changes.
To scale this solution globally, CH4 Global has reimagined seaweed cultivation with its innovative EcoPark system—a proprietary, pond-based platform that slashes capital and operating costs to as little as one-tenth of traditional tank-based approaches. The company’s first commercial EcoPark in Louth Bay, South Australia, began operation in early 2025, marking a significant milestone in industrial-scale Asparagopsis production.
The economics are compelling: the EcoPark system has allowed CH4 Global to slash capital and operating costs to as little as one-tenth of traditional tank-based seaweed farming, making Methane Tamer™ economically viable for farmers without requiring government subsidies. This breakthrough ensures profitability throughout the value chain while delivering measurable climate benefits.
The company’s momentum is accelerating through strategic partnerships with industry leaders. A collaboration with Lotte International began in 2023, with Methane Tamer™ now being used at their Australian feedlot for Wagyu cattle. CH4 Global has also partnered with agricultural chemical producer UPL to bring the solution to millions of cattle across key markets including India, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Most recently, an agreement with Mitsubishi Corporation aims to expand commercial sales in Australia and Japan, with plans to explore production opportunities in Southeast Asia. In addition, Chipotle Mexican Grill, one of America’s 10 largest restaurant chains, has invested in CH4 Global, becoming one of the first major food brands to directly support methane reduction at the source.
Beyond methane reduction, Asparagopsis delivers additional value to farmers through improved feed efficiency. Studies, including this one by Kinley and colleagues, show that reducing methane production allows cattle to retain more energy from their feed, potentially improving productivity while reducing input costs.
If Methane Tamer™ were adopted for just 10% of the world’s cattle, it would deliver more climate benefit than removing 50 million fossil-fuel-powered cars from the road. With over $50 million in funding to date, CH4 Global is driving toward its goal of achieving gigaton-scale emissions reductions over the coming decade—making it one of the most promising climate tech companies addressing agricultural emissions at a meaningful scale.
