Noxdown: why AdBlue supplier choice matters
While purchasing AdBlue based solely on price might save money in the short-term, it is important to protect fleets by ensuring quality is not sacrificed, supplier Noxdown has warned.
“AdBlue can appear relatively simple from a buyer’s point of view and therefore lead to questions about why price differentiation between suppliers exists in the first place,” said the company.
“While AdBlue itself is made up of only two components (deionised water and urea), the manufacturing process is lot more complicated. Not only does it require specialist production facilities and equipment, but also contamination prevention procedures and quality testing. In particular, standards like ISO 22241 exist within the AdBlue sector to maintain product integrity and prevent damage to your systems.
“Even if the supplier doesn’t manufacture their own AdBlue, pricing will be reflective of the wider supply chain, including not only production costs but also storage, handling, transportation and quality assurance. “
If quality and compliance standards are not being maintained or are being compromised to save money at any point within the supply chain, says Noxdown, then there becomes an increased risk of contamination.
“Contamination can cause damage to the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, block injectors or result in sensor failures. These issues can then further escalate into vehicle downtime, expensive repairs, and disruption in operations, ultimately leading to an increase in costs and loss of revenue…
“For a lot of procurement departments, AdBlue is treated as an afterthought, considered an inconvenient but necessary cost to stay compliant with emission standards. However, by taking the same approach and time for sourcing AdBlue as you would fuel, by evaluating suppliers’ full credentials rather than relying on the cheapest option, you could avoid contamination risks and reduce your long-term costs – particularly by making sure the AdBlue you are purchasing is up to ISO 22241 standards and that your supplier is taking the necessary steps to reduce contamination.
“You could also increase your savings further by understanding your weekly or monthly AdBlue consumption, which would enable you to potentially negotiate better prices and benefit from volume discounts.”
Noxdown advised: “Next time you buy your AdBlue, don’t just compare prices, but take the time to check the supplier’s credibility and compliance standards across their entire supply chain. This will reduce your risk of contamination, protect your fleet from damage and most importantly save you money.”
