Swiss startup Sixteen44 is preparing to deploy its first field demo unit at a farm in Switzerland, testing a non-thermal plasma system that oxidizes methane from dairy barns into CO2 and water vapor. Unlike feed additives that prevent methane at source, this technology treats methane after it has been emitted, operating at low temperatures of 50-60 degrees Celsius. The system can connect to existing barn ventilation and is designed for dilute methane sources where capture or flaring is not feasible. The company plans to fund the equipment through dairy cooperatives or stakeholders looking to reduce Scope 3 emissions, with costs recouped via carbon credits. While not a silver bullet for livestock methane, as cows spend time outdoors, Sixteen44 sees applications beyond agriculture including coal mines and landfill sites. The field demo is a critical step toward validating the technology in real-world conditions.
