Vehicles that operate with a diesel engine emit toxic gases harmful to the environment. To overcome these problems and improve the health of the vehicle's engines, manufacturers now recommend using AdBlue with it, which is an odourless fluid that helps control the emission of toxic gases in the environment and improves engine health.

 

However, there is a shortage of AdBlue in Australia, and we look at the reasons for this shortage in this post. But, before we go into the details, let's start by understanding what AdBlue is and how it works.

 

What is AdBlue?

AdBlue is a synthetic, odourless fluid. Precisely, it is an exhaust fluid that helps limit the emissions of toxic gases from diesel engines. The fluid is used for the automobile that operates with diesel engines to reduce carbon emissions into the environment. Moreover, the use of AdBlue as an exhaust fluid also helps your engine to perform better.

 

How Does AdBlue Work?

AdBlue complements the vehicles built in the treatment system. In the case of diesel engine automobiles, AdBlue works with the treatment system, which is known as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). When SCR combines with AdBlue, it leads to a chemical reaction that works with the toxic gases formed in the engine to convert them into relatively non-toxic emissions. For example, the use of AdBlue with SCR helps break down nitrogen oxide, which is a greenhouse gas and can also affect the respiratory health of humans, into less toxic nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water.

 

Why is There a Shortage of AdBlue in Australia?

Given the pandemic and tensions with China, Australians are likely to face shortages of several everyday commodities, and the latest shortage that is likely to affect them is the shortage of AdBlue. Since it is added to vehicles with the diesel engine to reduce exhaust pollution, it is considered one of the integral consumer products as its shortage can affect the air quality and the entire ecosystem.

 

But why is there a shortage?

 

The key raw material for the production of AdBlue is urea, and Australia has minimal production of this key ingredient domestically. Since China manufactures the world's 80% urea production, it is one of the leading urea suppliers worldwide, including Australia.

 

However, with tensions between our nations and also the fact with Beijing Olympics right around the corner, China has decided to divert its exports to the local market to improve the air quality. Given this diversion of urea export from China, along with the disrupted supply chain due to the pandemic, urea prices have skyrocketed in the International market, which is a reason for the shortage.

 

Do not fear, the Australian government is looking for alternative urea sources and reaching agreements with international suppliers to curb this shortage while minimising the price impact on the end customers.

AdBlue is one of the essentials for maintaining your diesel engine and the environment, and its shortage can likely affect Australians and global citizens.