How Zeotech’s Biofilter Slashed Methane Emissions by Over 90%

Breakthrough in Methane Emission Control

Zeotech Limited, an emerging player in environmental technology, has announced the successful completion of its Methane Control Program conducted in partnership with Griffith University and Cleanaway Waste Management. Over two years, the company developed and tested a zeolite-based biofilter, branded zeoteCH₄®, designed to adsorb and chemically oxidize methane emissions from landfill sites.

The program culminated in pilot-scale trials simulating landfill conditions, where the biofilter consistently reduced methane emissions by more than 90% compared to untreated controls. This level of reduction is significant given methane’s potent greenhouse gas effect, estimated to be 28 times that of carbon dioxide.

Robust Performance Under Realistic Conditions

Notably, the zeoteCH₄® biofilters maintained stable performance throughout the trials, requiring minimal maintenance and showing no degradation even after exposure to extreme weather events. This robustness is critical for practical landfill applications, where environmental conditions can be highly variable.

In contrast, a control configuration containing only methanotroph inoculum failed to reduce methane emissions, underscoring the importance of the zeolite matrix in the biofilter’s effectiveness. The trials also provided valuable long-term data to refine biofilter design and optimize conditions for maximum methane oxidation.

Scaling Up and Protecting Innovation

Following these promising results, Zeotech has expanded its pilot plant production capacity in Brisbane to manufacture up to 100 kilograms of zeoteCH₄® material weekly. This scale-up is intended to support larger on-site landfill trials anticipated later this year, marking a critical step toward commercial deployment.

In parallel, the company has taken steps to safeguard its intellectual property by filing a provisional patent application titled ‘Zeolites for Methane Control’ with the Australian Patent Office. Further patent filings under the international Patent Cooperation Treaty are expected soon, highlighting Zeotech’s commitment to protecting its novel technology.

Looking Ahead

Zeotech’s leadership expressed optimism about the technology’s potential to address one of Australia’s most challenging greenhouse gas sources. The company plans to engage landfill operators to secure opportunities for on-site trials, which will be crucial to validate performance under operational conditions and pave the way for commercialisation.

As methane emissions continue to attract regulatory and environmental scrutiny, Zeotech’s zeoteCH₄® biofilter could become a vital tool in reducing landfill-related greenhouse gases, contributing to broader climate change mitigation efforts.