Is there an AdBlue crisis there?

[Melissa in Australia]

Is there an AdBlue crisis happening over in other countries or is it just a trade war with Australia and China thing?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2021-12-14/has-the-adblue-shortage-reached-crisis-point/100700420

this news link is only talking about the trucking industry but it also is affecting the grain harvest because it is needed for tractors etc. basically anything that is modern and runs on diesel 

 

[Farrar]

I've never heard of it. In looking it up, I think I understand the issue a bit now, but literally no sources mentioned it being a problem anywhere but Australia. I don't fully understand why because it sounds like all diesel trucks use the compound and the world's supply comes from China. But the possibility of it spreading as a problem isn't mentioned anywhere that I saw.

[prairiewindmomma]

AdBlue/Diesel exhaust fluid additive doesn't seem to be the problem here; it's a sensor shortage that's getting the press: https://www.epa.gov/recalls/diesel-exhaust-fluid-def-sensor-shortage-updates  My understanding is that they've put through software patches to allow vehicles to delete the sensor warning system. (Senator Marsha Blackburn put forth the bill this fall to Congress to direct EPA...)

It's not a piece I've heard on the news, though. I've only heard about it when I was researching logistics issues. The chassis shortage contributing to container backup in the ports is still getting the bulk of the airwaves.

[Melissa in Australia]

thank you . I had guessed that it was part of the Australia / China trade war that is currently happening but wasn't sure 

[Ausmumof3]

I think it’s due to a urea shortage?  I know there’s been issues with fertiliser which I think also needs it. 

[Ausmumof3]

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/08/what-is-urea-and-why-does-a-worldwide-shortage-threaten-australias-supply-chain?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
 

This has a bit of background. 
 

If I understand correctly gas shortages caused urea shortages and Russia and China are blocking export to keep local prices affordable.

 

i know farmers have been worried about fertiliser prices for a bit already here.

Its probably more problematic for Australia because we’re very reliant on diesel and our diesel is lower quality than a lot of the world gets meaning the additives etc are more critical especially with the newer enviro friendly vehicles 

Edited December 15, 2021 by Ausmumof3

[Melissa in Australia]

2 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

I think it’s due to a urea shortage?  I know there’s been issues with fertiliser which I think also needs it. 

China is no longer exporting any Urea at all. this was the only supplier to Australia. resulting in  Australia no longer able to make AdBlue. there is only enough stock in Australia for between 2 to 5 weeks depending on which news source you look at. it has been mentioned a LOT on the ABC country hour about the impact to farming. but now is on other news because it will affect trucking. 

 I couldn't work  out if it was a world shortage.. or an Australia only thing. if it was a world shortage that would be really bad, but if it is an only Australia thing then i guess they can source it somewhere else , just more expensively

[Ausmumof3]

5 minutes ago, Melissa in Australia said:

China is no longer exporting any Urea at all. this was the only supplier to Australia. resulting in  Australia no longer able to make AdBlue. there is only enough stock in Australia for between 2 to 5 weeks depending on which news source you look at. it has been mentioned a LOT on the ABC country hour about the impact to farming. but now is on other news because it will affect trucking. 

 I couldn't work  out if it was a world shortage.. or an Australia only thing. if it was a world shortage that would be really bad, but if it is an only Australia thing then i guess they can source it somewhere else , just more expensively

Abc says it’s worldwide - Europe and South Korea were mentioned as well.  We are likely to run into issues sooner because we use more and have very short supply on that sort of stuff anyway.

I was talking with DH the other day and he mentioned at least part of the fire service is dependent on it too.  Older vehicles will probably be ok. 

[Ausmumof3]

Also, I’m wondering if bypassing DPFs temporarily would be a work around (although very bad for emissions)… don’t know if that would work or not 

Edited December 15, 2021 by Ausmumof3

[Melissa in Australia]

2 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

Also, I’m wondering if bypassing DPFs temporarily would be a work around (although very bad for emissions)… don’t know if that would work or not 

Dh said that trucks etc. that use AdBlue when they run out go into   Limp mode  that reduces speed to 30 km hour.

 

[Ausmumof3]

5 minutes ago, Melissa in Australia said:

Dh said that trucks etc. that use AdBlue when they run out go into   Limp mode  that reduces speed to 30 km hour.

 

Yes or stop working.  But it is a computer programmed thing to meet environmental regs as far as I know so if it was a major crisis manufacturers could reprogram? 

[Melissa in Australia]

3 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

Yes or stop working.  But it is a computer programmed thing to meet environmental regs as far as I know so if it was a major crisis manufacturers could reprogram? 

I guess

 would they need more microchips to do that? 

[Ausmumof3]

3 hours ago, Melissa in Australia said:

I guess

 would they need more microchips to do that? 

No idea. I think they can plug into a machine at the dealer to reprogram some stuff. 

[Melissa in Australia]

7 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said:

No idea. I think they can plug into a machine at the dealer to reprogram some stuff. 

You would hope, but it doesn’t seem to work in reality

 my next door neighbour just had her brand new car written off by the dealer because a headlight  sensor went off that was computer connected to the power control and nobody at the dealership  knew how to fix it. The car had done less than 2000 km. One of my brothers whole dash was replaced under warranty (over$7000)because a computer chip that controlled the CD player malfunctioned. They dealer wanted to write that car off but my brother insisted they fix it as there was nothing mechanical wrong with the car at all. He didn’t realise that involved replacing the whole dash.

all the Gwagons that DWELP use are equally frustrating. A stick flicks up underneath and touches something and the car automatically shuts down. A tow truck has to travel all through the bush and pick the truck up and talk it to the mechanic to reset the computer. It is a major problem for remote firefighters in Gwagons.

 

 

Edited December 15, 2021 by Melissa in Australia

[prairiewindmomma]

I am reading more on this. It appears the shortage is worldwide but it’s likely not to have as steep an impact here because we have ultra low sulfur diesel fuel widely available here.

[bookbard]

I read the Aust govt is going to source it from Indonesia? But re Urea, I was reading a flower mag and they had a long list of different chemicals or minerals essential for plant growers  which are now hard to source, with ideas about how to source locally. 

It seems a bit ridiculous that we've ended up like this considering Australia has so many resources. You'd think that what's happening now would make the govt realise we have to try to source or refine these things locally rather than rely on other countries - especially countries like Russia and China. 

[Melissa in Australia]

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/16/australian-adblue-shortage-2021-diesel-price-supplies-australia

 

worse than I though.  Some rural areas have run out of AdBlue, some trucking companies only have enough left until the end of December, widespread rationing and the tiny amount left has gone from60 cents litre  to somewhere between $2 to $3 .  Fuel trucks are going to be affected very shortly, meaning regional petrol stations will not be able to be filled. Food delivery may be impacted soon…

all doom and gloom.

I am starting see how my wacky neighbour comes to some of his crazy conclusions about the collapse of the world.😟

[Melissa Louise]

There was a warning about supply issues last week - can't remember who/where - and I was surprised, but now I'm not!

[Ausmumof3]

https://www.drive.com.au/news/emissions-software-could-be-disabled-adblue-shortage/
 

@Melissa in Australia