To start off the fourth year of the CANMILK project, the consortium met in Maastricht on 18–19 September for a two-day project meeting. This event provided an opportunity to review progress, share updates, align activities, and plan the next steps towards developing a concept for methane abatement in cattle barns.
The meeting took place at the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Maastricht University, located on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus. The consortium had the chance to tour the plasma chemistry laboratories and explore the experimental setups and facilities that supported CANMILK’s research.
Meeting sessions focused on updates from the project’s work packages, with time allocated for discussion and feedback. Research topics included plasma modelling and diagnostics, adsorbent and catalyst development, and gas–surface interactions.
One of the main topics was the progress on constructing the proof-of-concept unit at VTT. With all components now on site at VTT, the testing phase is expected to begin soon. The partners discussed which parameters to prioritise during testing, thereby helping to define the experimental plan for the upcoming months. This PoC testing phase lays the foundation for further designing and optimising a prototype plasma-based process for methane activation and decomposition.
In addition, progress on the techno-economic analysis was presented. This analysis complements the experimental work by evaluating different system configurations to identify feasible and cost-effective solutions. It assesses greenhouse gas reduction potential, capital and operational costs, and integration into real-world agricultural settings.
By aligning research activities, PoC development, and techno-economic evaluation, the CANMILK consortium is advancing towards an applied solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. The Maastricht meeting provided a roadmap for the final phase of the project, with just 18 months remaining.
