CO₂ is one of those “invisible” essentials: you barely notice it — until suddenly you can’t get enough. For many industries in the UK — food & drink, refrigeration, packaging, brewing, meat processing — CO₂ isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. But supply chain weak points mean shortages ripple quickly, and badly.
Here are the key vulnerabilities in the UK CO₂ supply chain:
Key weaknesses
- Dependence on Fertiliser Plants
Much of the UK’s food-grade CO₂ is generated as a by-product of ammonia/fertiliser production. If fertiliser plants slow down or shut for maintenance (or economic reasons), CO₂ supply drops sharply. - Rising energy / Natural gas costs
These plants are energy-intensive. When natural gas prices spike, operating them becomes expensive, so some shut or reduce output. When that happens, CO₂ supply is affected. - Few redundant sources
Because CO₂ is usually a by-product rather than a primary product, there are very few facilities whose main business is making CO₂. That means fewer backup sources when one facility goes down. - Import / Transport limits
Some CO₂ is imported, but transport is logistically tricky (handling, safety, cost), and importing doesn’t always solve the problem fast enough when domestic plants go offline. - Quality / Regulation risks
When the usual suppliers are struggling, companies may turn to newer or less tested suppliers. There is a risk of poor-quality or even fraudulent CO₂ (for example, CO₂ not meeting food-grade standards) entering the market. - Seasonal / Market spikes
Demand rises seasonally (e.g. around festive periods), or due to spikes in production, or cold weather, or demand for carbonated drinks. If supply is already tight, these spikes can overwhelm the system.
Real-world impacts
- Food & drink manufacturers have warned of shortages in meat, poultry, bakery, soft drinks when CO₂ supplies drop.
- There have been public health / welfare concerns — e.g. how animals are stunned before slaughtering depend on reliable CO₂.
- Inflation: when CO₂ becomes scarce, costs rise fast. Some plants require government support to keep running when gas prices become uneconomical.
What businesses need from a CO₂ supplier
Given all that, a business in food & drink, refrigeration or related sectors should look for:
- A supplier that has redundancy (i.e. multiple sources or capacity) so they’re less exposed to any single plant shutting down.
- Certainty of delivery / scheduling — not just availability but reliability.
- Clarity on grade / quality (food-grade vs industrial vs refrigeration).
- Coverage across geography — ability to deliver to where you are, not just near major plants.
- Responsive customer service — to warn of delays or issues, and to adjust if needed when demand spikes.
Why Blended Products is a strong choice
Here’s how Blended Products matches up well against the weaknesses above, and why partnering with you helps protect companies from CO₂ supply risks:
| Vulnerability | How Blended Products mitigates it |
| Reliance on a few big sources | Blended Products has built supply chains that include both bulk and cylinder CO₂ sources, reducing dependence on any single plant. |
| Energy /operating cost disruptions | We take steps (logistics, scheduling, inventory buffers) to absorb shocks and keep supply flowing even when upstream costs fluctuate. |
| Import/transport/geographic gaps | Blended Products offers delivery across the UK, with a responsive system so businesses outside major CO₂ hubs still receive supply reliably. |
| Quality/grade confusion | Blended Products clearly differentiates between food-grade bulk CO₂ and refrigeration/industrial grade cylinder CO₂, ensuring customers get what they need without risking compliance or safety. |
| Unexpected demand/seasonal peaks | Because we provide both bulk and cylinders, Blended can flex between modes to respond to demand surges — e.g. extra cylinder deliveries for refrigeration during festive periods while bulk contracts are locked in. |
What you can do to reduce risk in your own operations
While choosing the right supplier helps, businesses can also take steps:
- Keep a buffer stock of CO₂ (extra cylinders or bulk reserves) before peak seasonal demand.
- Check with your supplier early in the year if contracts or pricing will change, so you’re not caught off guard.
- Know the grade of CO₂ you need and don’t compromise on quality (especially for food/medicine).
- Build relationships with multiple suppliers if possible, so you aren’t totally reliant on one.
Conclusion
CO₂ might seem simple, but the UK’s supply situation shows it’s not guaranteed. Between dependence on fertiliser plants, energy price volatility, and limited redundancy, the supply chain is fragile.
That’s where Blended Products stands out: your reliable supply chain, UK-wide delivery reach, clarity on CO₂ grade, and ability to serve both bulk and cylinder demands make you a strong partner for businesses that can’t afford to be left in the cold when CO₂ supply gets tight.
