ABB has been chosen by dsm-firmenich, a global leader in animal nutrition and health, to provide integrated automation and electrical systems for a new production site aimed at reducing methane emissions in livestock farming. The facility, located in Dalry, around 40 kilometers west of Glasgow, will manufacture Bovaer®, a feed additive proven to cut methane output from cattle.
By implementing ABB’s advanced automation technologies, the project aims to enhance operational efficiency, streamline engineering processes, and optimize equipment performance across the site. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to meet environmental goals in line with global climate commitments.
The facility will scale up production of Bovaer®, a product that has been in development for more than 15 years. According to dsm-firmenich, just a quarter teaspoon of the additive per cow per day can reduce methane emissions by approximately 30% for dairy cows and up to 45% for beef cattle, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of meat and dairy production.
Methane, which is responsible for roughly 600 million tonnes of emissions annually, is a potent greenhouse gas. Livestock farming accounts for about 32% of this total, making reductions in agricultural methane essential to achieving the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement.
“Farmers around the world have already seen the benefits of Bovaer®, with total reductions reaching 300,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent,” said Mark van Nieuwland, Senior Vice President of Bovaer® at dsm-firmenich. “This new site represents a major leap forward in scaling up our impact. Partnering with ABB strengthens our ability to deliver this solution at a global level.”
ABB will provide a full suite of automation tools, including its flagship System 800xA® distributed control platform, alongside infrastructure for cybersecurity, control centers, variable-speed drives, and IT/OT networking. Installation is expected to be completed by November 2025, at which point the facility will become fully operational.
“With a significant portion of methane emissions resulting from human activity, addressing this challenge is vital for climate progress,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries. “We are proud to support this effort, which demonstrates how automation can drive meaningful environmental change.”
Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide but has a far shorter atmospheric lifespan—about 12 years—making it a key focus for climate mitigation. Over 150 countries have joined the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030. Bovaer® is now available in more than 65 countries and has been tested in over 130 field trials across more than 20 nations. Its effectiveness has been supported by over 80 peer-reviewed scientific studies.
ABB is a global pioneer in electrification and automation, committed to enabling industries to achieve higher productivity while reducing environmental impact. With more than 140 years of innovation and a workforce of around 110,000 employees, ABB serves clients in over 100 countries. The company is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm.
ABB’s Process Automation division focuses on automating and electrifying key industrial operations, from energy and water to manufacturing and transportation. Backed by 20,000 employees, the division helps customers enhance efficiency, minimize waste, and improve overall sustainability across sectors.
