Table Talk

We could be heading for a shortage of carbon dioxide.  Yes, you read that right, despite carbon emissions hitting record levels in 2022, CO2 for use in the food and drink industry is in short supply. CO2 is used all across the sector, soft drink production of course, but also meat processing, brewing, baking, and many many others But with the soaring price of natural gas, dwindling supply, and the shutdowns of CO2 plants in Cheshire and Teeside, there are fears that major shortages are just around the corner. We have been here before. Significant CO2 scarcity in 2018 sent shockwaves through the industry. But could we be facing an even worse situation this time around?   Prices of CO2 are already rocketing, so what can the industry do to prepare itself? Mark Lorch, Professor of Public Engagement and Science Communication, University of Hull Mark Lorch is a chemist, writer and science communicator. He started his research career working on protein folding and has since delved into many other aspects of