ABB’s solutions will improve engineering efficiency, operator effectiveness and asset utilisation.
The site will increase global production of Bovaer, Dsm-Firmenich’s methane-reducing feed additive for cows and cattle that has been researched and developed for more than 15 years. The company claimed a quarter teaspoon of Bovaer per cow, per day can reduce enteric methane emissions by an average of 30% for dairy cows and by an average of 45% for feedlot beef cattle – contributing to a reduction of the environmental footprint of dairy and beef products.
“Bovaer has been used already for over two years by farmers in several markets, with a total methane reduction adding up to 300,000 tons of CO2e. This facility will become the first large-scale production plant for Bovaer and with it we look forward to widening our collaboration with the entire dairy and beef value chain to reduce emissions and make a positive contribution in the fight against climate change,” said Mark van Nieuwland, senior vice president Bovaer at dsm-firmenich. “Utilising ABB’s automation expertise exemplifies how we can accelerate the expansion and adoption of Bovaer to significantly decrease methane emissions on a large scale and thereby support global efforts to combat climate change.”
The project extends an existing partnership between the two companies and ABB will supply all automation hardware and software including the ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system. The scope of work also includes IT and OT networks, cyber security, process CCTV systems, and electric motor control centres and variable speed drives. ABB’s site work is due to complete by November 2025, after which time the facility will become fully operational.
“With 60% of global methane emissions coming from human activities, reductions are essential to reach the world's climate change targets,” said Per Erik Holsten, president of ABB Energy Industries. “So we are proud to be working on a project that will significantly reduce anthropogenic methane emissions.”
Bovaer is commercially available in more than 65 countries worldwide, including across Europe, the UK, USA, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Japan and South Korea, and has been tested in more than 130 farm trials in over 20 countries, resulting in more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications.