NZ's Only Food-Grade CO2 Plant Shut Due to Safety Concerns
January 9, 2023
PHOTO: RNZ / Robin Martin
The Kapuni liquid carbon dioxide plant in Taranaki has been New Zealand’s only domestic producer of food-grade CO2 since the Marsden Point refinery was decommissioned last year.
Todd Energy has confirmed to RNZ the closure started more than two weeks ago, just before Christmas.
There is no reopening date yet.
Todd Energy is a subsidiary of the Todd Corporation owned by one of New Zealand’s wealthiest families - employing 1000 people overall.
The original Kapuni plant was built 50 years ago.
In a written statement, Todd Energy chief executive Mark Macfarlane acknowledged the closure was “concerning” for customers.
“It was necessary to shut the plant to enable the issue to be clearly defined and to complete any resulting rectification work. The safe operation of the plant is our priority.
“Unfortunately, that means the plant is temporarily closed while we work through engineering solutions.”
Customers were importing additional CO2 to meet demand, he said.
BOC Gas buys CO2 from Todd Energy and sells it in cylinders across Aotearoa.