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JBS signs a deal with Royal DSM to cut cow methane emissions globally

As part of the COP26 meeting, the world’s largest meatpacker, JBS, announced it has partnered with the Netherlands' Royal DSM to reduce the total amount of methane emissions emanating from JBS’s supply chain. This partnership will begin by first reducing the emissions coming from JBS cattle.

JBS said that it will use Bovaer, a feed additive that DSM developed to reduce methane emissions. According to the meatpacker which cited a recent Australian study, Bovaer can reduce cow methane emissions by up to 90%.

While Bovaer has been widely tested in various markets, JBS said it would begin by giving this additive to confined cattle in its home country of Brazil. In six months, the company said it plans to expand its use of this feed additive into a second market, which will be either the U.S. or Australia.

As a solution, Bovaer is immediately effective using a dosage that is as little as a quarter of a teaspoon per day per animal. However, if the use of this additive is discontinued, the production of methane gas in a cow’s stomach will recommence immediately.

JBS, which is the second-largest food company globally, has broader plans than culling cattle methane emissions as part of its initiative to reduce methane emissions in its supply chains.

“Sustainability is at the core of our business strategy. We are developing a major action plan to reduce the company’s entire carbon footprint, and this partnership with DSM will contribute not only to our plans but for the whole sector in this complex issue of methane emissions,” said JBS Global CEO Gilberto Tomazoni in a statement.

Part of this meatpacker's larger plan is to invest $1 billion by 2030 to decarbonize its operations. JBS has also committed to zero deforestation across its global supply chain by 2035. As an extra incentive, the company has linked its executives' bonuses to its climate goals.