US faces CO₂ shortage - C&EN - American Chemical Society
Contamination and new customers exacerbate seasonal supply tightness
cen.acs.orgHere’s a quick update on the latest CO2 shortage news you asked for.
Key developments
- Recent reports highlight ongoing concerns about CO2 availability and price pressures affecting the food and beverage sector, with some facilities adjusting production or halting briefly due to energy costs and plant outages. This has raised questions about resilience in CO2 supply chains and potential impacts on meat, dairy, bottling, and other industries that rely on CO2 for processing and packaging.
- In the UK, there have been discussions about government and industry steps to bolster CO2 resilience, including contingency planning and imports to mitigate shortfalls when domestic production faces interruptions.
- On a broader note, the CO2 supply situation in other regions (e.g., the US) has historically shown seasonal tightness tied to fertilizer production and ammonia plant operations, with shortages sometimes lasting several weeks to months depending on feedstock availability and disruptions.
What this could mean for you in London
- If you’re in the hospitality, food manufacturing, or packaging sectors, expect closer attention to gas supply commitments, potential price volatility, and the possibility of alternative supply arrangements or stockpiling measures during peak demand periods.
- Retail and consumer goods could see intermittent supply issues or price adjustments if CO2 availability tightens, especially for carbonated beverages and perishable product handling that rely on CO2 for packaging and preservation.
Illustrative example
- A notable UK case in past years involved government and industry coordinating to keep CO2 supply flowing during a UK plant outage, underscoring how energy costs and plant uptime can ripple through to food security and retail stability. This demonstrates why policymakers monitor CO2 resilience and why businesses often diversify suppliers.
Would you like a brief table summarizing regional CO2 supply factors (domestic production, imports, energy costs, and typical disruption durations) or a quick set of practical steps you can take to reduce exposure in your operation (e.g., supplier diversification, inventory planning, and alternative processing options)?
Citations
- Fresh CO2 shortage fears as surging energy costs force factory shutdown[1]
- US faces CO₂ shortage[2]
- CO2 Shortage: What Is It and What Does It Imply?[3]
- US faces CO₂ shortage (C&EN)[4]