Roebuck Foods is making a notable move into agricultural climate technology, seeking to raise €10 million as it works toward majority control of Glasport and Rumen Tech. The fundraising signals growing investor interest in solutions that cut farm-related emissions, especially as agriculture faces mounting pressure to decarbonise without sacrificing productivity.
The London-listed Irish company, formerly part of Norish, already owns minority stakes in both businesses. Now, Roebuck Foods is aiming to deepen its position in two climate-focused ventures developing products designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farm waste and livestock systems.
Why Roebuck Foods Is Raising €10 Million
The €10 million capital raise is being carried out through a placing and sale of shares at 9 pence each, managed by Irish broker J&E Davy. Roebuck Foods also temporarily suspended trading in its stock while the fundraising process began, a common step during transactions of this scale.
The fresh funding is expected to support the expansion of Glasport and help advance Rumen Tech, whose emissions-reduction technology is still at an earlier development stage. Roebuck Foods plans to pay for the remaining equity stakes in both companies with its own shares, underlining that this is not just a passive investment strategy but a broader pivot toward climate tech.
For technology investors, the deal is significant because it places an established listed company at the centre of a fast-growing segment: agri-climate innovation. That includes methane mitigation, manure management and feed-based emissions reduction technologies.
Glasport: The More Mature Climate Tech Asset
Of the two targets, Glasport appears to be the most commercially advanced. Roebuck Foods currently owns 37.3 per cent of the Galway-based company and holds an option to increase that stake to 82.3 per cent by February 2029.
Glasport is best known for Gasabate, a product designed to reduce methane emissions from cattle manure by as much as 80 per cent. That matters because methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and livestock agriculture remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise at scale.
What makes Glasport stand out
- Its core product targets manure-related methane emissions
- US patent approval has already been secured
- Arla has approved the product for a farmer climate incentive scheme
- The company has an agreed valuation of just over €25 million
One of the biggest recent milestones for Glasport is its acceptance into Arla’s FarmAhead programme from next year. That move could open the product to farmers across Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, the Netherlands and the UK. For Roebuck Foods, that creates a clearer path from innovation to commercial uptake.
There is also upside tied to policy recognition. If Gasabate is included in a national greenhouse gas inventory calculation, Glasport’s valuation could rise further, from €25.08 million to €30.08 million.
Rumen Tech and the Next Phase of Farm Emissions Innovation
While Glasport brings nearer-term commercial traction, Rumen Tech offers earlier-stage potential. Roebuck Foods owns 16 per cent of the company and is in discussions to acquire the remaining 84 per cent.
Rumen Tech is developing a feed additive intended to reduce carbon emissions from manure. Although less mature than Glasport’s offering, the technology fits neatly into a broader wave of livestock emissions innovation that includes methane inhibitors, digestive efficiency supplements and waste-management tools.
For Roebuck Foods, acquiring Rumen Tech could create a more diversified climate tech portfolio with products that address emissions from different points in the agricultural cycle.
Leadership Signals a Strategic Shift
The push by Roebuck Foods is also being reinforced by high-profile leadership appointments. Justin McCarthy has been named chief executive and already serves as CEO of both Glasport and Rumen Tech. His background spans agri-food, private enterprise and state-linked organisations, making him a logical fit for a business trying to scale technical agricultural solutions.
Meanwhile, former ESB chief executive Padraic McManus is set to become chairman once the fundraising is completed. His experience across energy, infrastructure and telecoms suggests Roebuck Foods is building a board with credibility beyond traditional food-sector investing.
Why This Matters for Climate Tech Investors
The move by Roebuck Foods highlights several wider trends in the technology market:
- Agriculture is becoming a serious climate tech battleground as regulators and food companies seek measurable emissions cuts.
- Commercial validation matters more than concept-stage science, which is why Glasport’s traction is important.
- Public markets may play a larger role in funding smaller climate innovation companies, especially through growth-focused exchanges like AIM.
In short, Roebuck Foods is not merely raising money; it is positioning itself as a listed platform for agricultural decarbonisation technologies. If Glasport scales successfully and Rumen Tech matures, the company could become an interesting case study in how legacy food-linked businesses reinvent themselves through climate innovation.
Conclusion
Roebuck Foods is making a calculated bet that climate tech for agriculture is ready for wider adoption. By raising €10 million and seeking stronger control of Glasport and Rumen Tech, Roebuck Foods is aligning itself with one of the most urgent challenges in modern farming: cutting emissions while keeping operations viable. For investors, farmers and the broader technology sector, this is a development worth watching closely.
