Eminex^® almost completely reduces methane, CO2 and nitrous oxide emissions from liquid manure

Climate protection plus improved manure properties: The reduction of methane, CO₂ and nitrous oxide emissions from liquid manure by 90–100%, as demonstrated in trials in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland and Austria proves the reliable effect of Eminex^®.

Convincing results from research and practice on the application and effect of Eminex^® from the last three years are the focus of Alzchem's presentation at this year's EuroTier: emissions of methane, CO₂ and nitrous oxide are reduced by 90–100%, a more homogeneous slurry with a better fertilizing effect, no foaming and hardly any floating layer, better utilisation of slurry storage capacities and a CO₂ footprint of milk production in total reduced by around 11–12% due to the reduction of emissions during slurry storage. The benefits of Eminex^® are as varied as they are clear.

The effectiveness and reliable effect have already been confirmed by many different tests and users. “The result was convincing,” reports farmer Christian Braun from Riedlingen-Neufra, for example:” There was no foaming in the treated manure pit, the floating cover was significantly lower and the slurry could be stirred up better than in the untreated manure pit. We also noticed a better climate in this part of the barn.”

Scientific tests confirm its effectiveness 

Trials with Eminex^® at research institutions in the Netherlands, Austria, the US, Germany and Ireland, among others, have produced comparable results. The team led by Professor Frank M. Mitloehner (UC Davis) came to the conclusion that “(...) Eminex^® is a promising tool for mitigating the negative environmental effects of manure management”. The positive effects are already achieved with very low application rates: With only 2 kg Eminex^®/m³ of available manure at the beginning of the cold season, nearly all methane emissions during the winter storage period can be prevented with just one application.

Various dairies are already showing great interest in Eminex^® due to its ease of use and high effectiveness. Friesland Campina, Agrifirm, Agravis and Alzchem have started a one-year pilot project with the manure additive Eminex^® to reduce methane emissions during the storage of manure. Ten dairy cow farmers in the Netherlands and Germany who are members of FrieslandCampina are taking part in the project: they are gaining practical experience in integrating innovation into their operations. Eminex^® has also been used on Mario Frese’s “Climate Milk Farm” in northern Hesse since July 2023. Here, the manure from 111 lactating dairy cows is treated with the manure additive. If used all year round, this alone results in a potential saving of 144 tons of CO₂eq per year for the dairy herd. 

In addition to the drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, exact tests also confirm the improved fertilizing effect of slurry treated with Eminex^®. This is due to the higher N efficiency resulting from the higher ammonium content, more homogeneity and the more even nutrient content across the entire slurry quantity. The higher carbon content also has the same effect when fertilizing with treated liquid manure, as over 200 kg/ha more carbon is added to the soil with a liquid manure application of 30 m³ per hectare.

Opportunities for biogas production as well

Avoiding greenhouse gas emissions during storage of slurry also opens up new possibilities for biogas production. As Eminex^® prevents methane emissions during slurry storage, the full methane potential of the slurry can be utilized in the biogas plant. A three-year research project launched in 2021 by ATB Potsdam, FNR and Alzchem is currently investigating not only the storage of liquid manure and its subsequent use in the biogas plant, but also the greenhouse gas emissions after liquid manure application in the field. This approach enables the holistic evaluation of the effect of Eminex^® along the “life cycle” of the manure. 

“Interested visitors to EuroTier are welcome to visit our booth to see how a better CO₂ footprint of liquid manure and improved liquid manure properties are linked. It is not without reason that several thousand farms in Europe have already used Eminex^® since its introduction,“ reports Benedikt Kappelsberger, Product Manager Agriculture at Alzchem.