Ajinomoto and Danone Establish Global Strategic Alliance to Reduce Dairy Industry GHG

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto Co.) and Danone have entered into a global strategic partnership aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the milk supply chain. This collaboration leverages Ajinomoto’s innovative lysine formulation, AjiPro®-L, which is designed to optimize the absorption of the essential amino acid lysine while offering a cost-effective solution for cutting emissions. As part of Danone’s “Partner for Growth” program, both companies are working to address GHG emissions associated with milk production, particularly from dairy farms.

AjiPro®-L is a breakthrough product that delivers lysine directly to a cow’s digestive system for better absorption, playing a crucial role in reducing feed costs for farmers and curbing GHG emissions in the dairy sector. By lowering the need for high-protein, costly feeds like soybean meal—often rich in excessive amino acids—AjiPro®-L helps maintain milk production while decreasing the carbon footprint. Specifically, it cuts the carbon emissions associated with soybean meal cultivation and procurement by around 20%. Additionally, it reduces nitrous oxide emissions from manure by roughly 25%, contributing to broader environmental benefits.

Research has shown that when combined with a methane-reducing additive, amino-acid-balanced feed using AjiPro®-L can boost the additive’s methane reduction effect by approximately 30%. This makes it a valuable tool in minimizing methane emissions from cows’ digestive processes, further lowering the industry’s overall carbon output.

Sumio Maeda, Executive Officer & Vice President at Ajinomoto, emphasized the company’s dedication to leveraging its amino acid expertise to help partners reduce both feed costs and GHG emissions across the dairy and beef industries. This initiative aligns with Ajinomoto’s broader mission of contributing to global well-being through its scientific approach, "AminoScience."

Jean-Yves Krummenacher, Chief Procurement Officer at Danone, highlighted the partnership's dual impact: reducing on-farm emissions while simultaneously helping farmers improve their margins and resilience.

The partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to introduce AjiPro®-L to farmers contracted by Danone in Spain, Brazil, and the U.S., as well as to Danone’s own farming operations in Egypt and Morocco. Moving forward, Ajinomoto and Danone will explore integrating this solution into tools for tracking and quantifying GHG reductions, enhancing the sustainability of dairy farming globally.

Since its launch in 2011, Ajinomoto Co.'s AjiPro®-L has been facilitating the efficient delivery of lysine to the small intestine for nutritional absorption. Lysine, an essential amino acid for cattle, is typically broken down in the rumen, making it difficult to utilize as a nutrient. AjiPro®-L overcomes this challenge by enhancing dairy productivity and feed efficiency, backed by Ajinomoto’s proprietary manufacturing technology and robust scientific expertise. As the leading lysine formulation for dairy cows, AjiPro®-L holds the largest market share globally and is widely used around the world.