Modern Dairy, a leading dairy producer in China, and dsm-firmenich, a global innovator in health and nutrition, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance dairy sustainability in China. The partnership will implement Bovaer, a scientifically proven solution that reduces methane emissions from dairy cows by up to 30%. This initiative aligns with China’s “Methane Emission Control Action Plan,” launched in November 2023, to lower emissions across sectors. As a result, Modern Dairy aims to supply milk with a reduced environmental footprint to its customers, including China Mengniu Dairy, contributing to China’s sustainability goals.
China Modern Dairy Holdings Ltd. (Modern Dairy), a leading dairy farming operator and raw milk producer in China, has partnered with dsm-firmenich, a global innovator in health, nutrition, and beauty, to enhance the sustainability of Chinese dairy farming. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement Bovaer, a groundbreaking solution aimed at reducing methane emissions in the dairy sector. This agreement marks the first of its kind in China and aligns with the nation’s recent efforts to combat climate change.
Methane Reduction Strategy in Chinese Dairy Farming
Bovaer, developed by dsm-firmenich, is the most extensively studied and scientifically proven solution for reducing methane emissions from livestock. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is primarily produced in the digestive systems of cows and released through belching. In dairy farming, methane is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. By integrating Bovaer into its operations, Modern Dairy aims to reduce methane emissions by up to 30%, setting a new standard for sustainable dairy farming in China.
Supporting China’s Methane Emission Control Action Plan
In November 2023, China launched the “Methane Emission Control Action Plan,” a comprehensive strategy to significantly reduce methane emissions across various sectors, including agriculture. As a prominent dairy producer, Modern Dairy is playing a pivotal role in implementing this action plan. By adopting Bovaer, the company aims to lower the environmental footprint of its milk production, which is supplied to major clients such as China Mengniu Dairy, a top 10 global dairy company.
Mark van Nieuwland, Senior Vice President of Bovaer at dsm-firmenich, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating,
“We are excited to commence preparations to enter the Chinese dairy market. We are on track to submit our Chinese registration dossier for Bovaer later this year and hope to gain approval in the coming years. The collaboration with Modern Dairy will help us to tailor our offering and go-to-market model for the Chinese market, and we are happy to work with the industry leaders on this topic. Preparation work will start now, while we await local market authorization for commercialization.”
Mark van Nieuwland, Senior Vice President of Bovaer at dsm-firmenich
Expanding Bovaer’s Global Reach
Bovaer is already commercially available in 65 countries, including EU member states, the UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, most of Latin America, and select other markets. The potential introduction of Bovaer in China could mark a significant step in reducing global methane emissions and enhancing the sustainability of the dairy industry worldwide.
Future Outlook for Dairy Sustainability in China
The partnership between Modern Dairy and dsm-firmenich signifies a major step toward sustainable dairy farming in China. With the support of innovative solutions like Bovaer and strong collaboration between industry leaders, China’s dairy sector is poised to reduce its environmental impact while meeting growing consumer demand for sustainable products.
