CO2

Carbon dioxide is used by the food, beverage and chemical industries. The compound has varied commercial uses but one of its greatest use as a chemical is in the production of carbonated beverages - it provides the sparkle in carbonated beverages such as cola, beer and soda water.

Azelis operates the largest ammonia-linked LCO₂ plant in the UK, where we offer outstanding quality conforming to all industry standards including: 

• EIGA specification/standards and verification
• Analysis methods
• EC Directive on food additives

We also hold FSSC 22000 accreditation in addition to our ISO 9001:2015 accreditation. Bespoke analysis can be completed using our onsite laboratories.

Major application areas.

• Chemical precursor
  CO₂ within the chemical industry is mainly used as a raw material, along with synthetic ammonia, in the production of urea. A smaller fraction being used to produce methanol and a range of other products such as metal carbonates and bicarbonates.
• Beverages
  CO₂ is used to produce carbonated drinks and soda water. Replacing natural fermentation the most common method used, in the case of bottled and kegged beer, is carbonation with carbon dioxide. Draught beverages are usually transferred from kegs in a cold room or cellar to dispensing taps on the bar using pressurised carbon dioxide, sometimes mixed with nitrogen.
• Food
  CO₂ is a food additive used as a propellant and acidity regulator in the food industry. It is approved for usage in the EU under E-Number E290.
• Fire extinguishers
  Some fireextinguishers, especially those designed for electrical fires, contain liquid CO₂ under pressure. CO₂ extinguishers work well on small flammable liquid and electrical fires. Their desirability in electrical fire stems from the fact that, unlike water or other chemical based methods, CO₂ will not cause short circuits, leading to even more damage to equipment. Because it is a gas, it is also easy to dispense large amounts of the gas automatically.
• Agriculture
  The atmospheres of greenhouses may (if of large size, must) be enriched with additional CO₂ to sustain and increase the rate of plant growth. At very high concentrations CO₂ can be used to eliminate pests in a greenhouse and grain silos.
• Refrigeration
  CO₂ (R744) is one of the “green” refrigerants with ratings for an ozone depletion potential and a global warming potential of 0 and 1 respectively.
• Other applications
  CO₂ is also used as an inert gas in the welding process, in medical applications oil recovers and numerous other minor applications