United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Outlook
According to the report by Expert Market Research (EMR), the United Kingdom carbon dioxide market reached a volume of 725.80 KMT in 2024. Driven by the expanding demand from key sectors such as food and beverage, healthcare, and manufacturing, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.50% between 2025 and 2034, ultimately reaching a value of volume of 842.32 KMT by 2034.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas that has a wide range of industrial applications, playing an essential role in various sectors, including food and beverage processing, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy production. It is integral to multiple processes such as carbonation, preservation, and refrigeration, making it a vital commodity in the United Kingdom's economy.
Key Market Drivers
The continued growth of the carbon dioxide market in the United Kingdom is underpinned by several important factors. These include increasing demand for CO2 in the food and beverage sector, advancements in industrial applications, the growing need for CO2 in healthcare, and the rising emphasis on environmental sustainability and carbon capture technologies.
Expanding Demand in the Food and Beverage Sector: The food and beverage industry remains the largest consumer of carbon dioxide in the United Kingdom. CO2 plays a crucial role in the carbonation of beverages, a process essential for the production of carbonated soft drinks, beer, sparkling water, and other beverages. The growing preference for these drinks, particularly among younger consumers, is a major driver of demand for CO2.
In addition to its carbonation role, CO2 is increasingly used in food preservation, packaging, and cryogenic freezing. In modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), CO2 helps preserve the quality of perishable foods like meats, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals by inhibiting bacterial growth and extending shelf life. As consumers continue to demand fresh and convenient food products, the reliance on CO2 for packaging solutions and preservation methods is expected to increase.
Furthermore, the rise in health-conscious consumers is contributing to the popularity of healthier, low-sugar, and plant-based beverages. With these trends in mind, CO2 continues to be an indispensable ingredient in the beverage sector, further driving the growth of the market.
Industrial Applications and Manufacturing Expansion: Carbon dioxide has diverse applications in industrial and manufacturing processes, contributing significantly to market growth. In the manufacturing sector, CO2 is used in welding processes, where it is utilized as a shielding gas to protect the weld pool from contamination, ensuring the integrity of the weld. This process is particularly important in industries such as automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, and aerospace, where high-quality welding is essential.
Additionally, CO2 is used as a refrigerant in various applications, including cold storage, food freezing, and transportation. The increasing demand for refrigeration and the growing use of CO2 as an environmentally friendly refrigerant in place of more harmful alternatives, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), is further propelling the growth of the CO2 market.
The chemical industry also heavily relies on CO2, using it as a raw material for the production of urea, methanol, and other chemicals. The UK’s large-scale chemical manufacturing industry continues to support the growth of CO2 demand, particularly in the production of fertilizers and industrial chemicals.
Growing Demand from Healthcare and Medical Applications: Carbon dioxide plays a vital role in the healthcare sector, driving its demand in the UK market. CO2 is used in a range of medical applications, from respiratory therapy to surgical procedures. One of the most prominent uses of CO2 is in laparoscopic surgery, where it is used to inflate the abdomen, creating space for the surgeon to operate with greater visibility and precision. This minimally invasive surgical technique has become increasingly common in procedures such as gallbladder removal, appendectomy, and gynecological surgeries.
In addition, CO2 is used in the production of medical-grade dry ice, which is crucial for the transportation and storage of vaccines, biological samples, and other sensitive medical products. The continued need for medical supplies, particularly in light of the global health crisis, is driving the demand for CO2 in medical and pharmaceutical applications. As healthcare demands rise, particularly for minimally invasive surgeries and more sophisticated medical storage systems, the role of CO2 in the sector is expected to expand.
Environmental Sustainability and Carbon Capture Technologies: The growing focus on environmental sustainability and reducing carbon emissions is a major factor influencing the UK carbon dioxide market. The UK government has set an ambitious target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, prompting significant investments in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. These technologies capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources, preventing them from being released into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change.
The captured CO2 can be stored underground or used in various industrial processes, such as enhanced oil recovery (EOR), carbonated beverages, or even in greenhouses to promote plant growth. This emerging market for captured CO2 presents new opportunities for the carbon dioxide industry in the UK, particularly in sectors focused on reducing their carbon footprint and advancing sustainability initiatives.
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Key Applications of Carbon Dioxide in the United Kingdom
Carbon dioxide is a critical component in a wide array of industries, each contributing to its growing demand in the UK. The key sectors driving the carbon dioxide market include food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy production.
Food and Beverage Industry: The food and beverage industry is the largest consumer of CO2 in the UK. Carbon dioxide is predominantly used for carbonating beverages such as soft drinks, beer, and sparkling water. It is also used in food preservation and packaging, where it helps to extend shelf life by preventing the growth of bacteria. CO2 is widely used in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), which is essential for preserving fresh food products such as meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetables.
In addition to its preservation and carbonation applications, CO2 is also used in cryogenic freezing. The ability of CO2 to freeze food products rapidly is crucial for maintaining quality and taste, especially for perishable products. As the demand for frozen foods continues to grow, the role of CO2 in the food and beverage industry will remain vital.
Healthcare Sector: In the healthcare sector, CO2 is used in various medical applications, including minimally invasive surgeries and respiratory treatments. The gas is commonly used to inflate the abdomen during laparoscopic surgeries, allowing for improved visibility and precision. CO2 also plays a role in respiratory therapy for patients with breathing disorders and in the transportation and storage of medical supplies through the use of medical-grade dry ice.
The demand for CO2 in healthcare will continue to rise as the UK’s aging population increases and as minimally invasive procedures become more prevalent. Additionally, the need for medical supplies, such as vaccines and biological samples, ensures a consistent demand for CO2 in healthcare applications.
Manufacturing and Industrial Applications: The manufacturing and industrial sectors are key drivers of CO2 consumption in the UK. The gas is used in welding processes, where it serves as a shielding gas, ensuring that the welds are of high quality. CO2 is also used in refrigeration, especially in food storage and transportation, where it serves as a more environmentally friendly alternative to other refrigerants.
In addition to these applications, CO2 is utilized in the chemical industry as a feedstock for the production of essential chemicals such as methanol and urea. As the manufacturing sector continues to grow, so too will the demand for CO2 in industrial processes.
Energy and Carbon Capture Technologies: The UK’s focus on reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources has increased the demand for carbon capture technologies. CO2 is captured from industrial emissions and can be used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), which involves injecting CO2 into oil reservoirs to extract additional oil. Moreover, CO2 is used in various other applications, including greenhouse operations and biofuel production.
United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Segmentation
The United Kingdom carbon dioxide market can be divided based on source, production, end use.
Market Breakup by Source
• Ammonia
• Ethyl Alcohol
• Substitute Natural Gas and CCU
Market Breakup by Production
• Biological
• Combustion
Market Breakup by End Use
• Food and Beverages
• Oil and Gas
• Medical
• Metal Fabrication
• Others
Competitive Landscape
Some of the major key players explored in the report by Expert Market Research are as follows:
• Ensus UK Limited
• BioCarbonics Ltd.
• Tata Chemicals Europe Limited
• Yara International ASA
• Air Products PLC
• BOC Limited (Linde)
• Air Liquide UK Ltd
• Nippon Gases
• Progases (UK) Ltd
• Others
Regional Insights
The carbon dioxide market in the UK is driven by key regions with high concentrations of manufacturing, food processing, and healthcare facilities. Regions such as the South East, East of England, and the Midlands have seen growing demand for CO2, largely due to their industrial bases and food production activities. The South East, with its large population and thriving food and beverage industry, remains the largest market for CO2 in the country.
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