By Clyde Mooney
Carbon dioxide shortages have recently taken the fizz out of some Australian soft drinks manufacturing, but Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) assures its customers supply has not been affected.
Plant shutdowns by key CO2 producers Orica and Origin Energy have put a dent in supply that has caused interruptions to the production of carbonated beverages.
CCA director of corporate affairs, Alec Wagstaff, told TheShout the company has not been negatively affected by the problems with the regular supply.
“CCA has been managing shortages adequately and we have no immediate issues with supplies of beverages to our customers," he said.
After closing due to an industrial accident in August, Orica began a controlled restart last week but may take up to three weeks to return to full production.
As well as battling CO2 shortages, Schweppes has also been tied up with an industrial dispute that has seen 150 workers locked out of its Tullamarine plant due to a pay dispute.
According to Fred Harrison, chief executive of Ritchies Supa IGA, supermarkets across NSW, Victoria and Queensland have run out of Schweppes products, with sales of those lines expected to be down 90 per cent.