Liquid Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) production has become a profitable business opportunity for startups and businesses interested in entering the market of industrial gases. Liquid CO₂ has several end users in the food and beverage, chemicals, healthcare, and oil and gas industries. This manufacturing process turns gaseous carbon dioxide into a liquid state through different cooling and compression methods. Rising Need for Liquid CO₂: With the worldwide consumption of CO₂ every year, investing in a liquid CO₂ manufacturing industry can be a highly profitable business
Why Should Startups Choose Liquid CO₂ Manufacturing?
- Increasing Demand Across Multiple Industries: Liquid carbon dioxide is widely used in the food & beverage industry, particularly for soft drink carbonation, preservation of food products as well as dry ice production. It is also used as a primordial of chemical reactions, metal working, and enanced oil recovery (EOR) in the oil and gas industry. The health-care industry also employs CO₂ for sterilization and as an insufflation gas during minimally invasive surgeries. The growing demand for these industries makes liquid CO₂ an increasingly marketable product, creating numerous opportunities for startups.
- Sustainable Business Model: In response to this, many industries are looking for ways to cut back on their carbon footprint, and the production of liquid CO₂ from captured waste carbon dioxide fits perfectly into this ethos. Technologies that capture CO₂ emissions from industrial process can be utilized by startups that want to position themselves as sustainable ventures. It may also lead to government subsidies and monetary support in the name of green energy or carbon-neutral programmers, making them further profitable.
- High Export Potential: The global market for liquid carbon dioxide is projected to grow at a steady state with Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific projected to be major consumers. As global need for food-grade CO₂ for industries such as food processing rises, across markets and international startups are in a strong position to meet demands. This means heavy consumers of CO₂, countries that import for their CO₂ needs will have large export potential and hence long-term growth opportunities for direct air capture.
Market Overview and Trends
The global market for liquid carbon dioxide is expected to grow steadily, thanks to its diverse applications and an increasing emphasis on sustainable production methods. By 2024, the liquid CO₂ market size is projected to reach several billion dollars, with a notable share within the food and beverage industry. Furthermore, the demand for CO₂ is boosted by its use in enhanced oil recovery methods, which help extract more oil from aging wells.
Current trends influencing the market include the uptake of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies and a rising need for dry ice in logistics and healthcare, especially for transporting pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Moreover, the industrial gases market is becoming more consolidated, as leading companies expand their production capabilities, showcasing a heightened demand for liquid CO₂ across different regions.
Manufacturing Process of Liquid Carbon Dioxide
The process of producing liquid CO₂ includes several phases, beginning with capturing carbon dioxide gas from industrial processes or natural sources such as fermentation or combustion. After capturing, the gas is filtered to eliminate impurities.
Subsequently, the purified CO₂ is compressed to high pressures using a compressor. The high-pressure gas is then routed through a cooling system, where it is cooled to its liquefaction temperature, approximately -56.6°C at atmospheric pressure. At this point, the gas transforms into a liquid state and is stored in specialized tanks, prepared for usage or transportation.
In certain instances, further purification and drying techniques are implemented to guarantee that the liquid CO₂ complies with quality standards necessary for various industrial uses. The final product can be either packaged in bulk containers or shipped to customers via tankers.
Conclusion
Manufacturing liquid carbon dioxide presents a stable and expanding market for entrepreneurs and startups. Given its rising demand in sectors like food and beverage, chemicals, healthcare, and enhanced oil recovery, liquid CO₂ symbolizes a business opportunity with considerable potential for both local and international markets. Startups venturing into this area can take advantage of increasing market demand, sustainable production methods, and a strong export market.
