About AdBlue

AdBlue^® is mandatory in Diesel cars since the 1st of January 2017. If your car is less than 2 years old and is a Diesel car, then yes you might need to add some AdBlue^® in it!

To make sure this is the case, you simply have to check your user manual.

You can also check AdBlue consumption according to your car model here.

Your vehicle needs AdBlue^® to reduce NOₓ emission. Due to the stricter emission legislation, diesel engines need to have cleaner exhaust gases. NOₓ is one of the emissions that causes acid rain. To meet the Euro 6 standards for diesel engine emission the use of Selective Catalyst Reduction-technology (and thus AdBlue^®) is required. The Euro 6 standards are into force from September 2014 for new passenger cars.

All commercial vehicle manufacturers have to meet the Euro 6 standards for diesel engine emission. Although Euro 5 emission standards could be met by different technologies, Euro 6 standards require the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction with AdBlue^®.

No, Adblue^® is not a hazardous substance. It has no known significant effects or critical hazards.

AdBlue^® is a highly purified colourless liquid. It contains demineralized water and urea (32.5%). The raw material, urea, even occurs naturally in our digestive system. However, we strongly dissuade you to ingest AdBlue^® or inhale it’s vapours, due to the risk of an allergic reaction.
AdBlue^® is corrosive and can dissolve materials that are not listed as AdBlue^® proof in ISO 22241. These materials could create malfunctions in your SCR-catalyst.

Is my vehicle subject to this emission legislation?

The Euro 1-6 emission legislation applies to motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles (buses, trucks) and passenger cars. However, not all vehicles are required to meet the same standards.
Stage I to IV legislation applies to most off-road machinery as used in construction, for farming and other applications. Whether you need to use SCR technology and AdBlue^® accordingly, depends on the emission levels of your machine or vehicle.

Legislation for transportation vehicles

EURO 6
Euro 6 will come into force in 2014. It will especially affect standards for diesel driven vehicles, requiring further reduction of NOx and Hydrocarbon emission. Consequently, the SCR system and AdBlue^® will become vital to meet the Euro 6 standards. Euro 6 legislation will immediately come into force for trucks in January.
Newly introduced passenger cars will have to meet the legislation before September 2014 and in January 2015 all newly delivered cars will have to meet Euro 6. For more info, please refer Euro 6 Article.

EURO 5 (715/2007/EC)
Euro 5 was introduced in the EU in 2009. It proposes to limit harmful emission from Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

EURO 4 (98/69/EC, 2002/80/EC)
Euro 4 was introduced in the EU in 2005. It proposed further limiting of petrol and diesel vehicles emissions.
In Euro 4 the emission of NOx has been limited for the first time.

EURO 3 (98/69/EC)
Euro 3 was introduced in the EU in 1999. It limited diesel car emissions. Euro 3 also included legislation for Heavy Duty Vehicles.

EURO 1 & 2 (91/441/EEC, 93/59/EEC & 94/12/EC, 96/69/EC)

Euro 1 came into force in 1993, setting emission standards for commercial vehicles and light trucks. It was the start of a step by step reduction of emissions from all engines to improve air quality in Europe. Euro 1 was soon followed by Euro 2 in 1996, which included legislation for motorcycles.

Legislation for off-road vehicles

Stage III and IV and Stage IV B
Addressing a wider range of off-road vehicles. Stage III and IV contain more elaborative and demanding standards. Stage IV will be introduced in 2014. To meet these emission standards almost all manufacturers will use AdBlue^®.

Stage IV B was introduced in 2011 leading major non-road suppliers towards implementation of SCR technology.

Stage I and II (1997-2004)
The first non-road diesel engine regulations were introduced in 1997. These stages did not yet include railroad engines, inland vessels or airplanes.

AdBlue is widely available in 5, 10 and 20 L cans, 200 L drums and 1,000 L intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), or through dispensing systems designed for AdBlue.

Most truck stops already sell cans of AdBlue or AdBlue in bulk. Europe also has a very extensive network of distributors and commercial suppliers of AdBlue. Look for distribution points with the AdBlue logo and fill your tank as you would with your fuel tank.

Visit the GreenChem website to find the best way to get AdBlue:
www.greenchem-adblue.com

Your AdBlue^® consumption depends on your type of operation. A full tank of AdBlue^® will last several tanks of diesel.

Estimated usage for trucks:

The average use of AdBlue^® vs diesel for tucks is 4 to 8%.

• Local distribution:
  – Approximately 500L in one year

• National distribution:
  – Approximately 1,000L in one year

• International distribution:
  – Approximately 2,500L in one year

Estimated usage for Passenger cars: 

• Mid-class diesel (For example Opel Insignia or Peugeot 508): 1 litre AdBlue^® for 1,000 km

• SUV/MPV class diesel (for example Opel Zafira or VW Touran): 1.5 litre AdBlue^® for 1,000 km

Check out estimated usage and our suggestion for your car by clicking here

Estimated usage for off-road vehicles:

Because of the wide variety of off-road vehicles, it is difficult to pinpoint their exact usage. A large heavy duty tractor can use 2,500L of AdBlue^® a year.

A ratio of 5 to 10% of the diesel usage is used to calculate the required AdBlue^®.

AdBlue^® should be stored out of direct sunlight between -6°C and 25°C in a clean and sealed container or dispensing unit. Storing it in the wrong equipment may result in costly damage to your vehicle due to contamination, which can result in SCR-catalyst replacement and downtime.

Storage Requirements

Environment:

Check local legislation for environmental requirements. Some countries require a bunted AdBlue^® storage tank when you are storing AdBlue^® or an anti-spill container under the IBC or drums. Contact local authorities for further information on storage requirements.

AdBlue^® Suitable materials:

AdBlue^® can only be stored in high-density Polyethylene, polypropylene or stainless steel containers. Suitable materials for piping, insulation and sealing:

• Polyisobutylene (synthetic rubber), free of additives – (for seals and hoses)
• PFA, PVDF & PTFE (Teflon) free of additives (for sheet – lining for chemical equipment/support rings, seals)
• Copolymers of (P)VDF and HFP (Viton), free of additives – (for the insulation of electrical wires & seals/o-rings)

Do not use corrosive materials like copper, nickel, zinc, mild iron or aluminium. You can check the entire list in the ISO 22241 recommendations.

All materials used by GreenChem meet the AdBlue^® requirements and all experience gained since the start of AdBlue^® are implemented in the GreenChem AdBlue^® products and available for you.

GreenChem produces AdBlue in various blending sites across Europe and Brazil. GreenChem has subsidiaries in 16 EU countries which provide local sales & support to our customers.

Every delivery to our customers is analysed according to ISO 22241 standards & its certificate of analysis (COA) is available in our internal system for reference. Every production batch is fully traceable back to its origin. GreenChem AdBlue is ISO certified on Quality & Environmental management systems according to ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015 standards.

ISO Certificates:

It depends, but there is the possibility to do so. Thanks to our ongoing innovations and improvements, you can now fill your car with AdBlue^® at gas stations that are equipped with a GreenChem AdBlue dispensing system. Depending on the region, AdBlue^® pumps at gas stations are available for both trucks and passenger cars, and can feature a smart, multipurpose nozzle with adjustable filling rates. Please check the site if this is possible.

Alternatively, GreenChem offers an extensive distribution network, making it easy for you to access our packaged products and refill AdBlue^® conveniently and efficiently.

You can recognise your AdBlue^® tank by its blue cap or an AdBlue^® label, but it is a totally separate tank.

The filling point is often fitted near your diesel cap. Some passenger cars have an AdBlue^® tank in the boot or in the engine bay.

The opening for your AdBlue^® tank is narrower than the opening for a diesel tank, so you should not be able to put diesel in the wrong tank (the nozzle does not fit).

What do I do when I have spilled AdBlue^®?

AdBlue^® is not dangerous to the environment. A small AdBlue^® spill can be diluted with water. It is best to mop up the spillage and avoid flushing it down a drain or waterway.

In case of a large spill, try to prevent the spillage from entering drains or waterways. Contain the spill with sand, earth or your spill kit and dispose of it properly. Spill kits are available in different sizes and sets.
Note: The surface on which you spill AdBlue^® may become slippery. Make sure that you clean up the spill as quickly as possible to prevent slipping and falling.

Can I reuse spilled AdBlue^®?

No, never try to reuse spilled AdBlue^®!
Spilled AdBlue^® will always be contaminated. Using contaminated AdBlue^® can cause costly damage to your vehicles’ SCR system, so no matter how great the spill, you cannot reuse it!

No, the engine will not shut down, but some engines automatically limit engine performance when AdBlue^® supplies are depleted.

If your engine is equipped with SCR technology, your vehicle will lose power and reduce its emission according to legal standards. The vehicle’s performance will be restored when AdBlue^® levels are up again.
Note: Some engines will not start after you have run out of AdBlue^®. Make sure that you have an emergency supply on board, or continue to the next distribution point without shutting down your engine.

If you want AdBlue® for your passenger car, you can know all about it from this ARTICLE and can download our APP from iTunes or Google Play by clicking on them. This is how it works:

If you have a passenger car and have any type of AdBlue® can already than here is a short video of how to refill your passenger car using a nozzle which comes with it. Check it out ->

If you are a truck or a bus company/operator, this video explains how Greenchem telemetry works to fill your dispensing systems automatically. In this, the truck or bus drivers just have to refill their tank from the dispensing system.

If you find that you have accidentally put diesel in your AdBlue tank then Do not start your engine!

Diesel contaminates the AdBlue^® and any contamination may cause costly damage to your SCR-system. It is best to contact your vehicle manufacturer to prevent any damage to your car. You may have to replace certain AdBlue^® components.

Your car will warn you when the range for the AdBlue^® tank is 2400 km. What happens after the 2400 km warning is different for each brand, so please check your owner’s manual to find out what applies to your vehicle.

For example, a Opel Zafira Tourer will warn you at a range of 2400 km. Then, the car will limit your maximum speed to 100 km/h at a range of 900 km. The car will eventually limit the maximum speed to 50 km/h and it will warn you that the engine will not restart once the engine is turned off.
Make sure you carry an emergency supply on board or continue to the next distribution point without shutting down your engine.