New Zealand is in a strong position regarding AdBlue supply, in contrast to what is being seen over the Tasman.

AdBlue is a trademark brand of urea-based diesel exhaust fluid – DEF – that acts as an anti-pollutant in modern diesel engines. It was mandated for trucks in 2011 to limit the amount of toxic nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere.

Australia is seeing a shortage in the product due to China tightening its grip on supply and halting exports.

Australian energy minister Angus Taylor says Australia has a stock of a little more than 15-million litres of DEF, about five weeks’ worth of business-as-usual demand.

“We are aware of the challenges Australia is facing with its manufacture of AdBlue due to a shortage of a key ingredient, urea,” said Sean Eccles, general manager NZ, Ixom, a New Zealand manufacturer and distributor of bulk and speciality chemicals.

“In New Zealand, we are well positioned to provide security of supply for AdBlue to our customers,” he said.

Ixom recently acquired SCR Solutions. So, as well as SCR’s existing urea supply contracts, Eccles said it has a strong supply relationship with Ballance, which manufactures locally.

“We are encouraging our customers to order product as normal to support continuity of supply.

We will continue to monitor the situation.”