Air Products, a prominent industrial gas company, has called on the industry to reduce its reliance on ammonia-based carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies. The company emphasizes the importance of adopting biogenic alternatives and enhancing supply chain diversity to ensure long-term stability.

During the gasworld European CO2 Summit 2025 in Rotterdam, Harco Van Der Berg, Benelux General Manager of Industrial Gases at Air Products, underscored the urgency of shifting towards a more resilient CO2 supply chain. “Historically, ammonia production has been a reliable CO2 source, but this is changing,” Van Der Berg stated.

In Europe, much of the CO2 supply is derived as a byproduct of ammonia and fertilizer production. However, factors such as decarbonisation efforts, rising costs, and plant closures have rendered this source increasingly unreliable. The reduction in ammonia-based CO2 supplies became evident following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which led to surging natural gas prices. As a result, several ammonia producers across Europe either scaled back or ceased operations, especially in key production regions like Germany and the Netherlands. This significant disruption underscored the risks of heavy reliance on ammonia plants for CO2 supply and highlighted the need for alternative solutions.

While ammonia plants remain a primary provider of high-purity CO2, there is a growing shift toward biogenic CO2 as a sustainable alternative. Biogenic CO2 is captured from biogas and biomethane plants, offering a cleaner and more stable option in the evolving market landscape. Van Der Berg stressed its increasing significance. “We need to secure biogenic sources of CO2 and diversify our supply channels to sustain industry operations in a stable and eco-friendly manner,” he stated.

In addition to sourcing changes, logistical challenges and regulatory developments are also transforming the CO2 supply landscape. Van Der Berg highlighted the need for industry players to prepare for new CO2 capture and storage regulations. He stressed the importance of adapting to evolving compliance requirements and investing in new infrastructure to facilitate CO2 transportation and storage. These regulatory shifts are expected to reshape the industry, necessitating proactive adaptation strategies.

“The key is collaboration,” Van Der Berg emphasized. “We must work together to build the right infrastructure that will keep our industries operational and sustainable.” Achieving this goal will require coordinated efforts from industry leaders, policymakers, and supply chain stakeholders.

Air Products is also actively working to reduce emissions within its distribution network by transitioning to lower-emission CO2 transport solutions. This move aligns with the company's broader environmental strategy to improve sustainability across its operations. Van Der Berg reiterated the company’s commitment to ensuring a stable CO2 supply while promoting environmental responsibility.

“As an industry, we must join forces to maintain reliable CO2 supply chains while reducing emissions,” he concluded.

By encouraging investment in biogenic CO2 sources and advancing sustainable logistics solutions, Air Products aims to future-proof the CO2 supply chain and support industry-wide stability in the years ahead.