Saving CO₂ - the invisible ingredient that makes the difference in CSD production

In the world of CSD (Carbonated Soft Drinks), we often think of sugars, syrups, flavours, packaging, and logistics as the main cost drivers. But there’s a less obvious element that can become strategic: carbon dioxide (CO₂). It’s what gives the product its fizz, defining the consumer’s sensory experience. Yet CO₂ is not only an organoleptic choice: it is also a powerful economic and sustainability lever.

The real weight of CO₂

In stable market conditions, CO₂ accounts for only a small fraction of the cost per litre of a soft drink-much less than packaging or raw ingredients. However, when prices rise, as has happened in recent years, even a marginal element can become a critical factor.
That’s why the real question is not just “How much does CO₂ cost?” but rather “How much is consumed, and how is it used?”

Premix and carbonation: the critical point to work on

Much of the efficiency lies at the technological heart of the plant: the Premix.
In a well-designed system, the Premix is not just the place where water, syrups, and flavours meet. It is the stage where CO₂ usage is determined.

• An effective deaeration step reduces the amount of gas needed to saturate the water.

• An optimal mixing process avoids the need to correct dosing during carbonation.

FB*PROPAK develops inline premix solutions with its preferred suppliers, that eliminate superfluous volumes, stabilise the product, and make the process more predictable. This technology enables up to 10–15% CO₂ savings, while ensuring more uniform and stable carbonation.

Efficiency that turns into a competitive advantage

Saving CO₂ means lowering operational costs and reducing exposure to market price fluctuations. But there’s more.
In a sector like CSD, where sustainability is increasingly demanded, the ability to reduce CO₂ consumption becomes a step forward in minimising waste - not just of water and energy, but of raw materials as well.

The invisible ingredient that changes everything

CO₂ doesn’t appear on the label as a marketing claim, yet it is a fundamental ingredient in the process. Managing it intelligently, with high-efficiency Premix and carbonation systems, means having plants that are safer, more competitive, and ready for the future of the beverage industry.
For FB*PROPAK, this is the true meaning of innovation: turning a hidden detail into a strategic advantage - for producers and for consumers alike.

Contact us today for more info