United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Share, Trends & Growth 2025-2034
The carbon dioxide market in the United Kingdom is crucial for various industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, oil and gas, and chemicals. CO2 is used in applications ranging from carbonating soft drinks to serving as an inert gas in certain manufacturing processes. The market for CO2 in the UK also plays a vital role in the energy sector, particularly in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.
The United Kingdom's carbon dioxide (CO2) market has witnessed steady growth, with the market volume reaching 725.8 KMT (kilotons) in 2024. This steady demand is expected to continue over the coming decade, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5% from 2025 to 2034. By 2034, the market is anticipated to reach a volume of 840.5 KMT. In this blog, we will discuss the United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market’s overview, size, trends, growth projections, competitor analysis, and forecasts for the next decade.
United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Overview
The demand for CO2 is primarily driven by industrial needs, with additional emphasis placed on its use in food preservation and carbonating beverages. The need for CO2 in healthcare, particularly in medical procedures such as insufflation during laparoscopic surgeries, has further expanded its market footprint. The United Kingdom has increasingly looked toward greener alternatives for industrial CO2 production, with a growing focus on capturing carbon from natural processes or industrial emissions.
United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Size
In 2024, the United Kingdom carbon dioxide market reached a volume of 725.8 KMT. The demand for CO2 continues to be robust, with industries such as food and beverage, healthcare, and chemical manufacturing driving consumption. This market is projected to see moderate yet steady growth, with a CAGR of 1.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. By 2034, the UK carbon dioxide market is expected to grow to 840.5 KMT.
This growth is attributed to increasing CO2 applications, technological advances in CO2 production, and the ongoing demand from industrial sectors. Furthermore, the UK’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions and investing in cleaner technologies could impact the market dynamics, shifting production toward more sustainable solutions.
United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Trends
Several key trends are shaping the United Kingdom carbon dioxide market:
Demand in Food and Beverage Industry: One of the primary drivers of CO2 demand in the UK is the food and beverage industry. CO2 is crucial for the carbonation of drinks and for its use in food preservation. As the market for carbonated beverages, especially non-alcoholic drinks, continues to grow, so will the demand for CO2.
Sustainability and Green Solutions: The UK is making significant strides toward sustainability, and there is a growing focus on low-carbon and carbon-neutral solutions. As part of the UK’s Green Industrial Revolution, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies are expected to play a larger role in the CO2 market, offering environmentally friendly methods to produce and store CO2.
Healthcare Sector Expansion: The healthcare industry in the UK continues to expand, and CO2 has a critical role in medical applications such as laparoscopic surgeries. As the demand for healthcare services increases, so does the requirement for CO2, particularly in medical gas supply.
Carbon Capture Technologies: Advancements in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilization (CCU) are expected to reshape the CO2 market. The UK government’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 2030 is driving investment in CCS, and it is anticipated to be a key component in the future of the CO2 market.
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United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Segmentation
Source:
Ammonia
Ethyl Alcohol
Substitute Natural Gas and CCU
Production:
Biological
Combustion
End Use:
Food and Beverages
Oil and Gas
Medical
Metal Fabrication
Others
United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Growth
The United Kingdom carbon dioxide market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.5% from 2025 to 2034. Several factors contribute to this growth:
Continued Industrial Demand: The industrial sector remains the largest consumer of CO2, with its use in oil and gas, chemicals, and food preservation. The demand for CO2 from these industries will continue to be the primary driver of market growth.
Technological Advancements: The increasing adoption of carbon capture and storage technologies and other sustainable CO2 production methods is likely to contribute to the market's growth. By improving the efficiency of CO2 production and reducing its environmental impact, these technologies will make CO2 a more attractive commodity.
Regulatory Support for Clean Energy: With the UK government's aggressive targets to reduce carbon emissions, there is strong regulatory support for carbon capture technologies and the reduction of CO2 emissions. This, in turn, will provide a boost to the CO2 market as industries adopt cleaner solutions.
United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Analysis
The UK CO2 market is diverse, with key players offering CO2 production, distribution, and storage solutions across various sectors. The demand for CO2 is relatively inelastic, as it is critical for various industrial processes, including food and beverage carbonation, medical applications, and enhanced oil recovery. However, the market is subject to regulatory pressures, particularly in terms of sustainability and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
The increasing focus on sustainability and the UK’s ambitious environmental goals mean that industries will be forced to explore greener methods of CO2 production, such as carbon capture. Companies operating in this space will need to stay ahead of regulations by adopting cleaner and more efficient methods of CO2 production and utilization.
United Kingdom Carbon Dioxide Market Forecast
Looking ahead, the United Kingdom carbon dioxide market is projected to reach a volume of 840.5 KMT by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 1.5% between 2025 and 2034. Several factors will shape this growth:
Continued Industrial Expansion: As industrial sectors such as food and beverage, healthcare, and oil and gas continue to expand, demand for CO2 will remain strong. The need for CO2 in carbonation and preservation in the food industry, along with its use in medical applications, will remain key drivers of market growth.
Sustainability Initiatives: The UK government’s strong push for decarbonization and sustainability will encourage industries to adopt cleaner technologies. The integration of carbon capture and storage technologies will contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable CO2 supply chain.
Technology and Innovation: Continued advancements in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies will be crucial in meeting environmental targets while ensuring an adequate supply of CO2. These innovations will also enable CO2 to be captured directly from industrial emissions, reducing reliance on traditional CO2 production methods.
Competitor Analysis
BioCarbonics Ltd.: Specializes in the production and supply of high-quality CO2, BioCarbonics serves sectors such as food preservation, healthcare, and the chemical industry.
Tata Chemicals Europe Limited: A significant player in the UK CO2 market, Tata Chemicals supplies CO2 to the food and beverage, oil and gas, and medical sectors.
Yara International ASA: Known for its agricultural and industrial products, Yara also produces CO2 for various sectors, including food processing and industrial manufacturing.
Air Products PLC: Air Products is a global leader in industrial gases, including CO2. They supply CO2 solutions for a wide range of applications, including healthcare and food and beverage sectors.
BOC Limited (Linde): BOC Limited, a subsidiary of Linde Group, is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of industrial gases, including CO2. They provide CO2 to multiple industries, including food processing, chemicals, and oil and gas.
Air Liquide UK Ltd.: Air Liquide is a leading player in the industrial gas market, providing CO2 and other gases for various applications, including the food, beverage, and healthcare sectors.
Progases (UK) Ltd: Progases is another key player in the CO2 market, supplying industrial CO2 solutions across various applications.
Others: Numerous other companies also contribute to the competitive landscape, offering specialized CO2 products for niche markets and unique applications.