12 February 2025
AgriZeroNZ is investing around NZD $4.2 million (EUR €2.25m) in Agteria Biotech, a Swedish company making strides to reduce methane emissions from cattle.
The start-up has developed a patent-pending molecule that’s been proven to significantly reduce methane emissions from dairy cows in multiple trials.
Its seed funding round saw it raise EUR €6m to further develop the product, with AgriZeroNZ co-leading alongside Swedish venture capital fund, Industrifonden.
AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says the early-stage investment will help drive the development of a solution suitable for New Zealand cattle.
“We’re excited to support Agteria to progress its research into a practical, effective solution to help New Zealand farmers cut emissions without compromising profitability and productivity.
“Kiwi farmers are among the most efficient in the world, but we need to continue to shift the dial to meet the demands from our global customers for lower emissions products," McNee says.
Wayne McNee, AgriZeroNZ chief executive
Recent trials run by Penn State University have shown methane emissions from dairy cows were reduced by up to 40% after consuming a small dose of Agteria's molecule as a feed additive.
Agteria Biotech CEO and co-founder Martin Blomberg says given the molecule’s small size and low daily dosage required, its methane-reducing products could be integrated into various feeding systems.
“Our solution is highly scalable, with proven efficacy in dairy cows demonstrated across several studies. In 2025, we will expand our efforts by conducting comprehensive safety studies and initiating trials with beef cattle to further understand the methane-reducing potential.”
Blomberg says AgriZeroNZ’s funding will help the company carry out further studies to fine-tune its product and advance towards regulatory approvals.
Martin Blomberg, Agteria Biotech CEO and co-founder
“Together with our new investors, combining deep-tech experience and strong market knowledge, we are ready to accelerate this critical work.”
As part of AgriZeroNZ’s work to get emissions reduction tools into farmers’ hands, McNee says it would support Agteria to navigate the regulatory approvals required to ensure the methane inhibitor is safe for use on New Zealand farms.
“Getting these methane-reducing tools into farmers’ hands is critical for New Zealand to safeguard the future of our primary sector and export economy,” says McNee.
AgriZeroNZ’s investment in Agteria Biotech will bring its overall investment portfolio to $46 million, which includes a methane-inhibiting bolus, vaccines, novel probiotics and low-emissions pasture.
