Suncheon National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation Designated as 'Methane Reduction Agent Testing Institution'

Published 08 Jan.2024 14:08(KST)

Verification of Methane Reduction Agent Effectiveness Over 3 Years, Supporting Carbon Neutrality

Suncheon National University (President Lee Byung-woon) Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation announced on the 8th that it has been designated as the country's first "Methane Reduction Agent Experimental Institution," supporting carbon neutrality in the livestock sector and expanding the distribution of low-methane feed, after a rigorous review by the Rural Development Administration's National Institute of Animal Science.

The "Methane Reduction Agent Experimental Institution" can only be designated to institutions verified to have internationally recognized respiration metabolism chambers (respiration metabolism measurement facilities that measure carbon dioxide and methane gas emitted by livestock) or mobile methane measurement devices (Green Feed System) through the Rural Development Administration's National Institute of Animal Science and the Feed Process Deliberation Committee, and capable of conducting animal feeding trials for methane reduction agents.

[Photo by Suncheon National University]

Methane reduction agents are products recognized to reduce methane emissions by more than 10% without affecting livestock productivity. Low-methane feed made by adding these agents to compound feed is classified as environmentally friendly feed that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from livestock.

Suncheon National University owns two mobile methane measurement devices and has achieved the distinction of being designated as the first domestic "Methane Reduction Agent Experimental Institution," thanks to the excellent activities of Professor Lee Sang-seok's research team in the Department of Animal Resources, which conducts various studies to reduce methane gas emissions from ruminant livestock.

This designation was made through thorough document evaluation and on-site inspection. The National Suncheon University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation will play a role in verifying the methane reduction effects of methane reduction agents manufactured, imported, and sold by companies during the three-year qualification period.

Yeo Hyun, head of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation at Suncheon National University, said, "This designation is an important opportunity to expand the university's research capabilities externally, and I sincerely thank Professor Lee Sang-seok's research team in the Department of Animal Resources for their hard work." He added, "As a representative national university in the region, Suncheon National University will work in various ways with the Rural Development Administration to achieve carbon neutrality, which the world is facing."