Danone and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. have announced a strategic global partnership aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the dairy industry. This collaboration will see the implementation of Ajinomoto’s AjiPro®-L, a cutting-edge lysine formulation designed to minimise the environmental impact of milk production.
Ajinomoto Co.’s AjiPro®-L is a groundbreaking solution that enhances lysine absorption in cattle. Lysine is a crucial amino acid that can improve feed efficiency and reduce costs. This innovative product not only aids in better nutrient absorption but also plays a significant role in decreasing GHG emissions from dairy farming.
As part of Danone’s “Partner for Growth” programme, the partnership aims to tackle multiple sources of emissions from the milk supply chain. By incorporating AjiPro®-L into the diet of dairy cows, the initiative expects to reduce feed costs and lower the carbon footprint associated with high-protein feeds, such as soybean meal. This reduction in feed costs can also cut the carbon dioxide emissions linked to the cultivation and procurement of these feeds by approximately 20%.
Furthermore, AjiPro®-L is anticipated to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from manure by around 25%, according to calculations by Ajinomoto Co. The product’s impact extends to methane emissions, with in-vitro studies indicating that it can amplify the effectiveness of methane reduction additives by about 30%. This could significantly cut methane emissions from cows’ belching, a major contributor to greenhouse gases in agriculture.
Sumio Maeda, Executive Officer and Vice President at Ajinomoto Co., highlighted the importance of this partnership. He stated, “Leveraging our expertise in amino acids, we developed the AjiPro®-L solution to reduce feed costs and GHG emissions for our partners and the wider dairy and beef industry. Our commitment is to mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive ones through our ‘AminoScience’ approach.”
Jean-Yves Krummenacher, Chief Procurement Officer at Danone, emphasised the dual benefits of the collaboration. He said, “With Ajinomoto Co. as our partner, we are expanding our toolkit to reduce GHG emissions on dairy farms while also supporting farmers to improve their margins and resilience.”
The partnership has already resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with plans to introduce AjiPro®-L to Danone’s contracted farmers in Spain, Brazil, and the United States, as well as to Danone’s own farmers in Egypt and Morocco. The companies will also work on integrating the solution into tools for measuring GHG reductions.
Ajinomoto Co. has been at the forefront of amino acid solutions since 2011 with AjiPro®-L, which offers improved dairy productivity and feed efficiency. The company, known for its scientific approach and significant market share in lysine formulations for dairy cows, is committed to advancing sustainability in agriculture through its “AminoScience” philosophy.
With operations spanning 34 countries and products available in over 130 regions, Ajinomoto Co. aims to continue its efforts to combat global warming and enhance corporate value through innovative solutions.
For further details, visit Ajinomoto’s official website.
