What is AdBlue®?
AdBlue® is a non-toxic solution that transforms harmful Oxides of Nitrogen (Nox) emissions from diesel-powered vehicles into harmless water vapour and nitrogen. The product is the operating fluid used with these vehicles, equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to comply with the Euro emissions standards relevant to each category of vehicle.
What is AdBlue®?
AdBlue® is not a fuel additive. It is also not blue – it looks like water but with a faint smell of ammonia. It is used exclusively in diesel vehicles and only those which use “SCR” (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems. In practice, this means vehicles registered in the UK from October 2006 onwards, such as trucks and buses, much later for other vehicles and plant, and quite recently for cars and vans.
The name “AdBlue” is a licensed trademark belonging to the German Automotive Industry Organisation, the VDA (Verband Der Automobilindustrie). Chemically, AdBlue is a non-hazardous derivative of ammonia, but if the product is licensed under the name AdBlue, it means this fluid meets a strict specification and has been manufactured, handled, and stored under tightly controlled conditions. This, therefore, gives the vehicle owner a guarantee that the product is okay to use without any risk to the vehicle’s exhaust system.
What’s New in AdBlue®?
As global concern over our environment increases, the industry has been working extensively to ensure that vehicles are producing cleaner emissions. We at Brenntag are passionate about the environment and sustainability and have been working in the AdBlue® industry since the conception of Diesel Exhaust Fluids (DEF).
We understand that AdBlue® may still be a new area for you or your business, and would like to help to dispel any confusion and to make sure you are informed of this essential product. We also keep abreast of new developments in this area.
Dos and Don'ts
AdBlue is water-based, so is corrosive to certain metals. Whilst it is not hazardous, it is a chemical, so should be treated in accordance with guidelines. As it is a pollutant, it should not be allowed into watercourses.
Because the exhaust system is sensitive to contamination, it is essential to always use only the licensed product, which has the name AdBlue. You can check whether a product has a licence by clicking the button below.
- Always fill straight from the container in which it was originally supplied.
- Never put any other fluid into the AdBlue tank, or dilute the product.
- Buy only the licensed product from an authorised supplier.
- Ideally, there should be some overfill protection when you dispense into the vehicle, such as an auto shut-off nozzle.