By KYIV. Nov 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ostchem, the nitrogen business of Group DF, has begun supplying carbon dioxide to the European market by creating a separate company for the production of industrial gases named CO2, according to a press release.
"We have passed international certification and ensured the supply of the first batch of carbon dioxide. The Italian group of companies Julia Gas S.R.L. became its recipient," the press service of Group DF quotes CO2 CEO Oleksandr Frolov.
According to him, the next delivery country is Moldova. The company is at the stage of negotiations.
"In these two areas, we see a good prospect for further increase in volumes," Frolov added.
The volume of the European carbon dioxide market in 2022 is estimated by Group DF analysts at $383.6 million, the expected growth is an average of 7.2% per year, the areas of use are from medicine, pharmaceuticals, fire extinguishing systems, cooling server rooms to growing vegetables, preserving meat products.
"The shutdown of chemical plants in the EU in 2021-2022 provoked a shortage of carbon dioxide. The possibility of banning the export of CO2 from EU countries at the legislative level is even being considered. Therefore, we enter a very good market at the right time. And we enter this market for a long time," Frolov said.
According to him, the CO2 company will meet the needs of European consumers both in technical carbon dioxide and in carbon dioxide used by food producers.
To ensure the export supply of gas for the food industry to the EU markets, Cherkasy Azot, which produces carbon dioxide, underwent a full audit and in October 2022 received Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000). This made it possible to supply carbon dioxide to food processing companies.
Group DF combines the assets of Dmytro Firtash in gas distribution, chemical, titanium and port industries. The group also develops business in the areas of agriculture, media and real estate.
