Handling and Storage of AdBlue®

It is very easy to store and handle AdBlue because it is a non-hazardous or dangerous liquid.

How to store AdBlue

AdBlue should ideally be stored within a temperature range between 0 and 30°C, and kept protected from direct sunlight. It should be properly sealed when it is not being used. It is possible for AdBlue to freeze at -11°C, so it is important that you use a storage area that is not below this temperature. If AdBlue has frozen, it can be reused when it has thawed as it will return to its original state.

The storage area must be clean and free from dust to avoid any contamination, especially when a vehicle is being filled with AdBlue.

If buying packaged AdBlue we will deliver AdBlue to you in sealed packs. If the storage instructions are followed, then AdBlue can be stored for up to a year. If you need to store AdBlue for longer or in difficult conditions, eg a combine harvester then it is best to drain the AdBlue first or to analyse the AdBlue to ensure it remains within the specification needed.

How to handle AdBlue

Do not use old diesel or oil containers to transfer AdBlue into the tank. Any non-dedicated equipment can contaminate AdBlue. Even very small quantities of fuel/oil/lubricant can damage your SCR system.

When you refill with AdBlue, there is no need to wear protective clothing. However, we recommend that you wear gloves to prevent irritation to sensitive skin. Please read the safety data sheet on AdBlue when you handle large quantities of AdBlue.

What happens if I replace AdBlue by water/urea solution or if I override the system?

Warning: water or urea solution cause easily identifiable damage, including a build-up of calcium deposits from the minerals found in water and urea solution. Gradual degrading and clogging of the SCR system will result in costly replacement parts, reducing efficiency and lost time. These repairs will not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty if it can be detected that the damage was caused by water, or urea solution.

What happens if AdBlue is filled into the diesel tank or diesel into the AdBlue tank?

Do not start the engine!
Do not move the vehicle!

It is essential that you drain the tank with the vehicle still in its original position.

If the engine is started, even just briefly:

The fluid will enter the wrong system, and this can have expensive consequences in the long and short term
AdBlue is not compatible with some metals and materials, so it will slowly degrade the fuel system’s pipework and components
Diesel will poison the catalyst which is expensive to replace (unwarrantable damage), resulting in downtime and maintenance bills

How can I be sure my AdBlue supplier is safe?

Purchase your AdBlue from a licensed VDA supplier (VDA is the organisation of German engine manufacturers that owns the AdBlue trademark)
Ensure that your AdBlue supplier has a quality control process in place for their AdBlue supply and delivery chain

Yara is a prime producer of AdBlue from urea “holt melt” or “virgin urea” production. The AdBlue that we sell under the Air1 brand is a direct extract of our urea production. We run several production sites around the world. These are ISO certified. Our Sluiskil plant in the Netherlands is the largest AdBlue production site in the world. AdBlue produced and sold by Yara goes through a supply chain that we control from production to fill at your site or reseller site.

Inferior quality urea solutions, or AdBlue from producers or resellers who do not continually assess or analysis their production/distribution chains, may contain impurities which may affect the SCR system of your truck, bus or coach as it is vulnerable to contamination.

Yara is a producer and supplier you can rely on

Yara is a reliable producer of AdBlue, that keeps a tight control over its production processes and its supply chain, so that it is always complying to ISO standards for AdBlue. Our AdBlue is produced under the VDA licence.

Upon request, Yara can provide analysis certificates and any information you may want on our production processes.