September 14, 2009
Mootral to complete unique feed additive with Green Challenge
Mootral Ltd, a small UK company, is eyeing the rewards of the annual Green Challenge competition to help finish the development of their methane-reducing feed additive.
Mootral, which was chosen out of 313 entries, is a company working with Neem Biotech Ltd, and has developed a unique feed additive for livestock that reduces their methane emissions by at least 25 percent.
The garlic-based extract is a natural antibiotic that works by fighting bacteria in the stomachs of cows and sheep.
The product is currently undergoing final dosage tests, with a view to launch a sample test at the UNFCCC Copenhagen Summit this December. The product is estimated to be able to reduce cow emissions by up to three tonnes CO2 per cow, translating to GBP30 (US$49.7) per cow of carbon credit per year.
The garlic extract is also able to have an instant impact on carbon emissions when directly fed to animals.
The winner of the Green Challenge competition will receive EUR500,000 (US$727,210) and there are two additional prizes of EUR100,000 (US$145,442) each.
If Mootral wins, the money will be used to finish the development of Mootral and launch.
The final will take place in Amsterdam on September 24.
US$1 = EUR1.454 (Sept 14)
