Low ethanol production affecting CO2 supply could complicate COVID-19 vaccine rollout

In Washington, D.C., Chemical & Engineering News reports that because the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines need to be kept at super cold temperatures best done with dry ice, which is made by compressing and cooling liquid CO2 often captured from ethanol and ammonia production, it can impact the vaccine rollout.

“The ethanol industry is recovering, says Geoff Cooper, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, an ethanol trade group. But it is still capturing 25% less CO2 than it was this time last year. Not all ethanol plants capture their CO2, Cooper says, so creating incentives for them to do so could alleviate the problem while also addressing climate change concerns.”