This development marks the first product approved in the country specifically aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock. South Korea, a signatory of the Global Methane Pledge, has a cattle population of 3.6 million.
The approval aligns with South Korea’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, highlighted by its comprehensive framework to help farmers adopt eco-friendly practices and a newly introduced low-methane feed program, according to dsm-firmenich.
Mark van Nieuwland, senior vice president at dsm-firmenich, stated that the company will collaborate with the entire beef supply chain—from farm to consumer—to launch Bovaer, supporting South Korea’s environmental and climate goals.
South Korean market drawng attention from innovators
Last year, US-based CH4 Global announced a partnership with multinational conglomerate Lotte International to introduce its methane-reducing technology for ruminants to the South Korean market. The target launch is set for 2025, with Lotte spearheading commercialization efforts while CH4 Global focuses on manufacturing and product supply. The partnership aims to advance regulatory approval through close consultation with the South Korean government and further studies.
Chinese market entry sought
Also known as 3-NOP, Bovaer is already commercially available in 65 countries, including EU member states, the UK, the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and most of Latin America. Authorities are currently reviewing an application for registration of the additive in Japan.
Late last month, dsm-firmenich announced that preparations were underway for it to enter the Chinese dairy market with Bovaer.
The company reported that it was teaming up with China Modern Dairy Holdings, a large dairy integrator, to tailor its offering and go-to-market model for China.
Having launched a methane emissions control action plan in November 2023, China is aiming to significantly reduce methane emissions across various sectors, including agriculture.
According to van Nieuwland, dsm-firmenich is on schedule to submit its Chinese registration dossier for the feed supplement later this year, with the goal of securing approval in the near future.
Registration in the Chinese market would represent a significant step forward in the global effort to reduce agricultural methane emissions and promote sustainability in dairy farming.
Reducing enteric methane emissions from dairy cattle is a key obstacle for the dairy industry globally. Methane lasts about a decade in the atmosphere and is 27x more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat—so smaller reductions create greater impact on temperature.