Coca-Cola in NI saved from CO2 crisis
Coca-Cola has said production at its Lambeg facility in County Antrim has not been affected by the shortage of CO2 (carbon dioxide).
The local manufacturers of Coca-Cola have moved to assure customers that they won’t run out of Northern Ireland’s favourite drink any time soon. Their confidence is in stark contrast to that of the British Soft Drinks Association, who claimed last week that UK manufacturers have “only a few days” of carbon dioxide left to produce fizzy drinks, according tot he BBC.
Farms, food, drink producers and supermarkets have warned a shortage could lead to significant disruption.
The industry has said it could impact the manufacture and supply of fresh produce.
The government is set to pay out tens of millions of pounds to restart production of carbon dioxide in the UK at a CF Industries plant in Teesside in England amid fears over food supplies and the nuclear industry. The US-owned company produces CO2 as a by-product of making fertiliser, but its main plants in Teesside and Cheshire have stopped work because of a rise in wholesale gas prices. It has resulted in a cut of about 60% in the UK’s CO2 supply.
The government’s offer, understood to be less than £50m, will meet the plant’s full operating costs for three weeks.
Coca-Cola employs more than 500 staff at its plant near Lisburn, with a further 300 workers at its facilities in the Republic.
Ihe company said: “Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland is not experiencing any risks to its CO2 supply.
“We also have robust contingency measures in place and do not expect any disruption to production.”
