Bill Gates invests in company to 'reduce methane emissions' from cow farts and burps to fight climate change

Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures was announced as the lead investor in a seeding round for company Rumin8, which is targeting methane emissions from livestock in an effort to stop climate change.

Rumin8, an Australian "climate technology company," says a recent seed round that raised $12 million will be spent on commercial trials in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and the United States, using additional funds for product brand development, and the development of a pilot manufacturing plant.

The company's main product is "methane busting" feed additives, aimed at lowering methane gas in cow emissions.

Rumin8 attempts to identify "naturally occurring compounds that have anti-methanogenic properties" and aims to reproduce them at low cost as an additive to food for livestock animals, in order to reduce their impact on the climate.

“The demand for sustainable protein has never been more apparent, which is why BEV is keenly interested in reducing methane emissions from beef and dairy,” said Carmichael Roberts, business lead for BEV.

“Rumin8 offers a low cost, scalable toolbox that has already proven to be effective in reducing emissions. Our team will support Rumin8 in working closely with farmers to expand the reach of this solution globally," he added.

The managing director of Rumin8 is confident that the company's product will be able to make it to market at competitive prices, touting recent results from both animal and laboratory studies.

“Our laboratory results continue to yield excellent results, our animal trials are reflecting the laboratory results, and the financial modelling we are undertaking is indicating we will be able to supply our products at a commercial price point," said David Messina.

“We have been very pleased with the reception we have received from climate impact funds around the world,” Messina remarked, pointing to a "genuine desire" from other companies that are seeking to find solutions to methane emissions from livestock.

The climate tech company received approximately $18 million in total from two seeding rounds, garnering additional funding from American venture capitalist firm Prelude Ventures. The San Francisco firm invests in sectors such as energy, agriculture, manufacturing, and drone technologies in the United States.

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