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There could be a shortage of beer and soft drinks in the US. As the carbon dioxide supply from ethanol plants is depleted.
Beer and soda makers use CO2 for carbonation, which makes beverages carbonated.
Ethanol producers capture CO2 as a by-product and sell it to the food industry in large quantities.
But ethanol production, combined with the nation’s fuel supply, has fallen sharply due to the drop in gasoline demand as a result of closure measures during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gasoline demand has decreased by more than 30% in the US. And, as a result, decreased ethanol production is affecting the food industry.
The executive director of the Renewable Fuels Association, Geoff Cooper, said that 34 of the 45 ethanol plants in the USA. USA Those who sell CO2 have idle or reduced production.
And CO2 suppliers have increased prices by 25% due to reduced supply, according to Brewers Association chief executive Bob Pease.
The trade group represents small, independent American craft brewers, who get about 45% of their CO2 from ethanol producers.
Mr. Pease added: “The problem is accelerating. Every day we hear from more members about this.”
He expects brewers to start cutting production in two to three weeks.
In a letter to Vice President Mike Pence on April 7, the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) said that CO2 production had fallen by approximately 20%.
He added that it could be reduced by 50% in mid-April without relief.
Meat producers are also affected as they use CO2 in processing, packaging, preserving and shipping.
For some Americans, the COVID-19 the blockade has already had an impact on beer supplies.
Olive Veronesi, 93, of Pennsylvania, recently went viral after a photo of her with a sign saying “I NEED MORE BEER!” It was posted on Facebook.
The company that makes your favorite brand has now delivered 150 cans to your doorstep.
Orion Melehan, CEO of beverage company Life-AID in California, said two of his production partners are looking for alternative sources of CO2.
“He has us up at night to find out what our options are,” Melehan said. “It highlights the laws of unintended consequences.”
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A spokeswoman for National Beverage Corp said the company sources from several national CO2 suppliers and does not anticipate a supply problem.
The Coca-Cola Company, the owner of SodaStream, PepsiCo Inc, the wine and beer vendor Constellation Brands Inc and several bottling companies have not publicly commented on whether they will be affected by the shortage.
However, the Denmark-based Carlsberg Group said the company is “almost self-sufficient.”
“We, in line with our sustainability program, create our own CO2 and capture it during the brewing process,” said spokesman Kasper Elbjorn.