Late last year there were concerns there was just five weeks’ worth of the emissions-reduction fluid available because of supply chain issues.
In response the Federal Government’s AdBlue Taskforce struck an agreement in late December with fertiliser manufacturer Incitec Pivot to secure Australian production of refined urea, a key component of AdBlue.
Incitec Pivot’s chief executive officer Jeanne Johns said since then, extensive work had been under way to ramp up production of the essential product, which is needed to keep diesel vehicles moving across Australia.
“We are pleased to have reached the milestone of producing and distributing just over three million litres of AdBlue — a massive 800 per cent increase compared to the amount we were producing in early December,” Ms Johns said.
“To achieve this milestone safely in record time is a fantastic achievement.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team who have worked tirelessly over the Christmas and new year period to help address a national shortage of this critical product.
“The hard work will continue as we aim to further increase production of AdBlue at Gibson Island in the coming weeks and months to meet Australia’s needs.”
The milestone follows the commissioning and completion of production and distribution facilities.
This includes new manufacturing capability, increasing quality assurance testing to 24/7 operations and a new Brisbane AdBlue Terminal capable of loading the equivalent of three B-double vehicles per hour for distribution to the industry.
“We have been working with wholesalers on demand forecasts to support ongoing distribution of the increased volumes of AdBlue through their network ... (we) look forward to continuing to work together as we increase production volumes,” Ms Johns said.
The milestone of three million litres a week has been reached by expanding production of Incitec Pivot’s existing method to manufacture AdBlue.
This allows the final AdBlue product — a liquid form — to be directly distributed to wholesalers for distribution to the retail network.
Incitec Pivot said it would ensure there were no impacts to its ongoing fertiliser urea supplies, used in the agriculture industry and relied on by farmers.
The company said when the AdBlue supply shortage was less critical, it planned to undertake a manufacturing assessment to produce technical grade urea — a granulated (non-liquid) form of urea that can be supplied to Australian AdBlue blenders to manufacture liquid AdBlue.
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