What is AdBlue®?

AdBlue® is a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) that reduces the amounts of nitrous oxide (NOx) that are emitted from the exhausts of diesel-fueled passenger cars, and commercial and agricultural vehicles.

AdBlue® is made from a mixture of high-purity urea and deionised water to proportions set out by the International Organisation for Standards (ISO 22241).

Why is AdBlue® needed?

Governments have worked to legally limit the levels of vehicular NOx emissions generated in our atmosphere. This is because Nitrous Oxide is a poisonous, highly reactive gas, formed when diesel is burned at high temperatures. It is known to play a role in the formation of fine particulate matter pollution in the atmosphere, harming both human health and the health of plants.

Reducing NOx emissions is vital to protecting the health of our communities and the environment. DEFs are needed to reduce these emissions, allowing continued use of diesel fuel while limiting the damage to the environment.

Without AdBlue®, most modern diesel engines will reduce power and run just enough to move a truck off the road, in case the supply is depleted while in transit. Once the engine is off, it will not start again until the supply is refilled.

Is AdBlue® hazardous?

AdBlue® is not particularly dangerous. It is clean, odourless and non-toxic. It is made with urea, however, and therefore corrosive. It may irritate the skin, eyes and lungs if splashed, so you should wear gloves and wash your hands when handling AdBlue® containers. If the fluid comes into contact with a vehicle’s paintwork, rinse it away with cold water, without rubbing the area.

Because AdBlue® is corrosive, it is important to ensure you fill the correct tank and never add it to the fuel tank. The fuel cap for your AdBlue® tanks is usually blue.

Is all AdBlue® the same?

AdBlue® is sometimes known as Bluedef or BlueTec. These are all made with 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionised water. These proportions are recommended by the ISO due to rigorous testing, showing that this ratio is optimal for reducing emissions while protecting the engine and fuel efficiency.

If the urea solution you are purchasing carries the ‘AdBlue®’ trademark, it is ok to use.

However, there are some solutions billed as alternatives, which do not carry this marque. The lack of accreditation indicates that the proportions in these solutions deviate from those proven to work, with dangerous and damaging effects.

Why is AdBlue® so expensive?

Many consumers have seen AdBlue® costs rise to record highs in early 2022, due to a shortage of refined urea. Urea manufacturers react natural gas, atmospheric nitrogen and water together at a high temperature and pressure, producing ammonia and carbon dioxide.
The ammonia and carbon dioxide are then reacted together again, producing liquid urea.

Since the middle of 2021, prices of natural gas have risen dramatically, having knock-on effects on ammonia and urea production. As such, the supply of urea has not been able to keep up with demand and prices of products containing urea and ammonia have risen too, including DEFs and many commercial fertilisers.

What problems can unlicensed AdBlue® cause?

While the high costs of AdBlue® are causing problems for many industries, turning to bogus alternatives is likely to end up costing you more in the long term. Non-accredited diesel exhaust fluids are unreliable, as there is no way to tell what it contains. They are often sold as ‘cheap AdBlue®’, but while the prices are lower, unlicenced products are not as efficient as the real thing. This means you will have to buy more sooner than you would have otherwise. When it comes to the fluids you put in your vehicles, it’s never worthwhile to cut corners.

Damage to your catalytic converter

Buying unlicensed chemicals is a considerable risk, as you have no way of knowing what compounds are used in the solution to cut costs. As such, using unlincensed AdBlue® knock-offs risks damaging your catalytic converter, or your whole fleet of vehicles, leaving you with a huge repair bill.

Invalidating your warranty

For vehicles with a warranty, the manufacturer will investigate the cause of any repairs you may need. While the issue may be unconnected, using unlicensed versions of AdBlue® can be enough for the manufacturer to void your vehicle’s warranty, leaving you with the bill for repairs from then on.

Breach Emission Legislation

Similarly, any uncertainty about the chemical makeup of the exhaust fluids you are using means you cannot guarantee it will be fit for purpose. Since quality DEFs are required to reduce the harmful gasses released into the atmosphere from exhaust fumes, these unlicensed versions may not be effective, leaving you vulnerable to fines and loss of company reputation.

Tips on PurchasingHigh Quality Licensed AdBlue®

Because unscrupulous manufacturers selling ingenuine AdBlue® have made their products very similar to the real thing, it can be easy to be fooled into buying an unlicensed version. Here’s how to avoid buying fake AdBlue®.

AdBlue® should be a colourless, clear liquid

Despite the name, AdBlue® is colourless, not blue.

Only buy AdBlue® from licensees registered by the VDA

If a license or accreditation is not displayed on the supplier website or product label, you can ask the company to send a copy of their VDA certificate. Alternatively, you can check the international database of VDA licensees.

Check for “AdBlue® according to ISO 22241” on the container

The International Standards Organisation has released guidance on the proportions of urea and de-ionized water under regulation 22241. If the label doesn’t state that the product meets these standards, it probably doesn’t.

Buy your AdBlue® from a reputable supplier or manufacturer

Licenced manufacturers of Adblue won’t manufacturer low quality AdBlue®, so make sure you purchase from a company that advertises they are licensed to manaufacurer or are selling licenced Adblue. At Landowner Products, we are licensed to manufacture AdBlue® by the VDA, so you can be sure the proportions are correct.

Watch out for similar brands that could be of lower quality

Some low-quality products billed as AdBlue® mimic the packaging and labels of the real thing. Always check the product description for ‘ISO 22241 Compliant’ or similar.

Double check AdBlue® sold at extremely low prices

If you come across AdBlue® at a price that seems too good to be true, don’t rush. Slow down and check the product specification for the AdBlue® registered trademark, or ‘ISO 22241 Compliant”