A potential carbon dioxide crisis is looming in South Africa, as power cuts provoke supply shortages and take the fizz out of the beverage industry in the country.
Eskom’s power cuts are contributing to a shortage of carbon dioxide and global drinks manufacturer Coca-Cola indicated recently that the shortage was affecting supplies of its products in the Western Cape and Port Elizabeth area.
Air Liquide is one of the major suppliers of CO2 and affirmed that a countrywide shortage of the gas had forced it to ration supplies to customers in the beverage industry and beyond. Air Liquide Marketing Director Jonathan Madden commented, “The situation has been vulnerable since the end of 2006. Power outages disrupt the stable operating conditions necessary for carbon dioxide recovery and purification.”
Madden noted that Air Liquide was importing carbon dioxide as a short- term relief measure and had so far been able to maintain its steady supply.
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