Since the tightening of anti-pollution standards, most new diesel vehicles sold on our market operate with AdBlue technology, this additive which must be replaced every 3000 kilometers in a small dedicated tank. Composed of 32.5% urea and 67.5% demineralized water, AdBlue converts 85% of the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gases into harmless dinitrogen and water vapor for the environment. Biodegradable and non-toxic, this technical solution obviously means never driving with the AdBlue tank empty. When there is no more AdBlue, it also becomes impossible to start the vehicle.
However, the production of Adblue in the factory requires large quantities of gas. And with the very significant increase in gas prices in Europe in recent months due to the Ukrainian crisis and major tensions between the European Union and Russia, this production of AdBlue would no longer be profitable enough for professionals in the segment today. In Germany, where the SKW company produces 40% of the total quantity of AdBlue consumed in the country, we are beginning to worry. Gas became so expensive that the company had to stop producing AdBlue. For the moment, the stocks available in the country allow us to hold on. But if the price of gas does not end up going down, SKW specifies that it will have great difficulty in restarting production without the help of the government.
2.5 million liters every day
According to SKW in Germany, the transport sector consumes no less than 2.5 million liters of AdBlue every day. A shortage of AdBlue would thus risk paralyzing all activity, from heavy transport to private cars running on diesel. More generally, all of European industry – a major consumer of gas – will find itself devastated if gas prices remain at such levels for too long, for lack of being able to compete with that of the United States or China, which have access to gas significantly cheaper.
