Supplies of nitrous oxide are expected to return to normal levels soon following a 2016 explosion at a nitrous oxide production plant in Florida. According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), there should be little to no shortage in nationwide supplies by the fourth quarter of 2017.

The plant—still not in operation after the explosion which killed a plant worker and caused extensive damage—produced an estimated 40 percent of the North American nitrous supply. There are only a relative handful of production plants in the US, which prioritized nitrous shipments for medical use after the incident.  

SEMA has been in regular contact with the nation's major nitrous producers, who have noted the challenges of filling the void after last year’s explosion. The companies have hired additional workers and increased production at other facilities, and are working diligently to manage their customer base.

Nitrous is a chemical used in racing applications as a power adder, most commonly in the drag racing market. Nitrous is also used as an anesthetic in dental and medical practices, as well as in food production for whipped cream.

Companies are urged to work closely with their distributors, and SEMA will continue to update the community in the coming months. For more information, contact SEMA’s Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.