CH4 Global, Inc., officially opens phase one of its first full-scale EcoPark, where it has begun to grow and process Asparagopsis in 10 large-scale cultivation ponds with a combined capacity of 2 million litres – capable of producing 80 metric tonnes of the seaweed each year. 

Over the next year, the facility will expand to 100 ponds capable of producing enough Asparagopsis to serve 45,000 cattle per day – a significant step toward meeting demand from CH4 Global’s existing commercial partners in Australia and beyond. With additional investment, the facility could eventually expand to 500 ponds capable of serving hundreds of thousands of cattle per day. 

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas attended the launch of the EcoPark in Louth Bay, 23km north of Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula. 

“I congratulate CH4 global on this significant achievement,” Mr Malinauslkas said. 

“South Australia is already a world leader in decarbonisation, helping the rest of the world achieve this challenge presents an incredible opportunity to deliver a more complex economy and more jobs for South Australians.  CH4 Global’s EcoPark is a shining example of what we can achieve – using Research and Development to develop new industries. Propagating a local seaweed to feed cattle has the potential to drastically reduce methane emissions from agriculture, both here and around the globe.” 

The EcoPark consists of research and development facilities, a seedling hatchery, patented in-land growth ponds, and harvesting and drying technologies to convert Asparagopsis into CH4 Global’s Methane Tamer products – allowing end-to-end production. 

The EcoPark will sustainably grow methane-reducing Asparagopsis at scale. Asparagopsis, which is a red seaweed native to South Australia, drastically reduces methane emissions from cows by up to 90 per cent. 

CH4 Global founder and Chief Executive Dr Steve Meller said the EcoPark was the first commercial facility of its kind, enabling the scalable propagation of Asparagopsis to meet the needs of feedlots under contract. CH4 Global’s system delivers consistent, high-quality production at a fraction of the cost, enabling profitability throughout the value chain without government subsidies. 

With its proprietary pond-based system, CH4 Global aims to reduce production costs by up to 90 per cent compared to conventional tank-based methods, enabling rapid scaling while positioning CH4 Global to deliver its feed supplement at a price point that ensures profitability throughout the agricultural value chain. 

“The EcoPark allows us to now grow Asparagopsis at-scale, providing more Methane Tamer to the feedlots and farmers we are already working with, and to meet the needs of the increasing number of organisations contacting us to help them change the feeding habits of their cows as we start bending the climate curve,” Dr Meller said. 

“We are well and truly working towards eliminating one billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and reaching 150 million cattle by 2030 through our local and international partnerships with feedlots and farmers, and it’s fantastic to see beef from these cows hitting shelves in Australia and heading overseas.” 

Dr Meller said the Louth Bay EcoPark was an essential step on the climate journey and would be positive for the Eyre Peninsula community and economy. 

CH4 Global has committed to preventing the creation of one gigatonne of CO2 emissions by 2032. To do so, CH4 Global needs to reach 150 million cattle —10 per cent of the world’s total. 

“Along with supporting farmers in South Australia, Queensland and overseas to reduce emissions, we’re working closely with the Eyre Peninsula community by having worked with local contractors to build the EcoPark, sourcing local materials and providing regional jobs.” 

CH4 Global has also been working with First Nations communities across South Australia, including with the planting of native species and on a land management plan, and providing a gathering space on-site. 

CH4 Global has implemented a sustainable design framework for Louth Bay and future EcoParks, guiding the use and management of energy and natural resources, waste and GHG emissions, and efficient use of eco-friendly materials. 

As part of its sustainable design framework, CH4 Global has remediated the 14ha site and will be responsible for 13km of beach. Remediation has included removing 5,000 tonnes of concrete tanks – crushed and recycled; 11.76 tonnes of HDPE to be recycled in Adelaide, 10 tonnes of plastic aquaculture trays and other plastic equipment for filtering water and other purposes, which have been rehomed and reused within the community; and sent five tonnes of steel to recycling. 

About CH4 Global 

CH4 Global, founded in 2018, is on an urgent mission to bend the climate curve, through collaboration with strategic partners worldwide. We deliver market-disruptive products that enable the food industry value chain to radically reduce GHG emissions. 

The company’s first innovation, Methane Tamer™ feed additives for feedlot cattle, harnesses the power of Asparagopsis seaweed to reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90 per cent. CH4 Global is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada, in the US, with current subsidiaries in Australia and New Zealand. Learn more about CH4 Global and its recent news.