Originating from research conducted at the University of Eastern Finland, Filtson Oy has spent the past few years developing and commercialising an innovative microbiology-based solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming. Methane produced particularly through cows’ digestion is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming. Methane accounts for up to half of the greenhouse gas emissions generated by dairy and beef cattle farms. However, reducing methane emissions in barns and livestock housing facilities is challenging.
In recent years, Filtson has developed a new technology to reduce emissions. In spring 2025, the company completed a market-ready device designed to reduce methane concentrations in the indoor air of barns and livestock housing facilities. In Filtson’s Primus device, air circulates through a filter in which microorganisms convert methane into carbon dioxide, which has a lower global warming potential than methane. In spring 2025, Filtson tested the device over several months at the Bioeconomy Campus in Saarijärvi.
“We were excited to collaborate with Jamk because it gave us the opportunity to test our device under in a real-life farm environment with an independent organisation. Our aim was to collect test data in an authentic operating environment and in a barn that was new to us,” says Sami Koskela, CEO of Filtson.
Filtson’s device was installed in a free-stall barn housing 70 cows at the Poke Vocational College. In terms of size and equipment, the barn is representative of an average Finnish robotic milking barn. Numerous studies involving cattle have been conducted at the facility. At the Bioeconomy Campus, Jamk works closely with Poke Vocational College.
Jamk’s experts coordinated the testing process in the barn. This included planning the test in collaboration with the client, installing the device and relocating it within the barn during the testing period, collecting feedback on the device’s maintenance requirements throughout the trial, and analysing the findings for the client. Poke students also participated in the testing. Jamk’s testing services are always tailored to each company’s needs and delivered in close collaboration with the company.
