Calgary, Alberta | 17 February 2023 | Synergraze Inc. has been awarded $1.3 million in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a federal foundation that supports Canadian companies to develop, demonstrate and commercialize new technologies with the potential to transform Canada’s environmental and economic prosperity.
Synergraze is developing and commercializing a livestock feed additive that is capable of drastically reducing methane emissions from the digestive systems of cattle and other ruminants (including bison, sheep and goats). Research studies have demonstrated a 90 percent reduction of enteric methane in cattle.
Research has shown the seaweed strain Asparagopsis taxiformis to be particularly effective for this purpose. Synergraze has developed a proprietary technological processthat enhances the bioactivity of multiple strains, including those native to Pacific Northwest waters, expanding the potential for a broader range of seaweeds to be used for this purpose.
Cattle emissions account for 30 percent of all methane emissions globally. Methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere from human-related activity, after carbon dioxide. However, methane is approximately 28 times more potent as a heat-trapping gas than carbon dioxide.
“At Synergraze, we are working to build a company that is a leading example of sustainable business practices, embodying economic, environmental, and cultural reconciliation principles, said Tamara Loiselle, Founder and CEO of Synergraze Inc. “By significantly reducing methane emissions from cattle, Synergraze can assist Canada and the provinces in meeting their methane emissions reduction while helping farmers and consumers of meat and dairy products to become part of the solution to global warming.”
“Reducing agricultural emissions is necessary for Canada to meet its ambitious climate goals. By developing a livestock feed additive derived from seaweed, Synergraze can reduce the methane produced by cattle by up to 90 percent. SDTC is proud to support this innovative, women-led company.” Leah Lawrence, President and CEO of SDTC.
“I have lived in this region for my entire life, as have my ancestors. T’Sou-ke Nation is involved as a partner with Synergraze and there is a pilot production site on the T’Sou-ke reserve. The results have been beyond our expectations, and we can see the benefits of increasing the scale of production. The possibility of reducing methane emissions from cattle and helping to offset our collective greenhouse gas emissions is an exciting prospect that will have beneficial effects not just in our local region but on a global scale.”
Chief Gordon Planes, Chief of T’Sou-ke First Nation
Synergraze is a Canadian company incorporated in British Columbia and Alberta, in partnership with T’Sou-ke First Nation. Synergraze works to reduce methane emissions from cattle and other ruminants. Synergraze advances sustainable agriculture practices and reduces environmental impacts. Synergraze operates a pilot-scale production facility on the reserve lands of T’Sou-ke First Nation. Planning for a commercial-scale operations is underway. Reducing emissions from agriculture will help Canada meet climate goals.