Much of the CO2 that enters the industrial gases value chain is captured from ammonia production. However, ammonia linked to fertiliser production can be seasonal and as the UK CO2 shortage of June 2018 and the repeat episode in summer of 2021 have demonstrated, a diversified mix of CO2 sources beyond fertiliser plants is more robust.
Biogenic CO2 that is produced as a by-product of bioethanol fermentation is popular for food-grade applications. Biogas to biomethane upgrades are also increasingly being fitted with CO2 capture and purification equipment. As environmental concerns increasingly drive purchasing decisions by industrial gas end-users, having access to sustainably sources biogenic CO2 is seen as a source of competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive market for industrial gases suppliers.
In addition to these biogenic sources, CO2 is increasingly being recovered from refinery SMRs due to their large scale and continuous operation. Having access to a secure all year-round source of CO2 is a means to differentiate industrial gases supply through the promise of reliability and can result in significant competitive advantage.
... to continue reading you must be subscribed
