First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this week visited feed manufacturer Royal DSM’s Dalry plant, in North Ayrshire, to break ground on a new facility to increase production of the methane-busting feed additive, Bovaer.

The £100m plus project has been supported by a £10m funding package from the Scottish Government. DSM said the feed additive could enable farmers to reduce methane produced from dairy cows by 30% and from beef cows by 45%. Bovaer could also sell into Europe, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Pakistan, Switzerland, Turkey and Uruguay.

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Since the start of the development of it, an estimate of 15,000 tonnes of CO2e had been 'saved' and reductions are planned to accelerate once the Dalry plant is fully operational in 2025. The new facility is likely to add 30 new employees at Dalry to the existing 400.

Ms Sturgeon said: “We are here to celebrate a world-leading project and multi-million pound investment which will make Scotland the home of this innovative product, underlining that Scotland continues to lead the way in delivering a net zero future.”

Scottish Enterprise’s chief executive, Adrian Gillespie, added: “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is a significant milestone and the next step in delivering such an innovative project for Ayrshire and Scotland.

“Royal DSM’s Bovaer has the potential to be a game-changer for emissions reductions from cattle. Scottish Enterprise has developed a close relationship with Royal DSM over many years and we were delighted to work with the company to secure Dalry as the home for this global manufacturing opportunity.”