Automotive grade urea
Uses and Properties
The Automotive Grade Urea Sector Group (AGU) is an association of European urea producers dedicated to the responsible production and usage of NOx reduction agent AUS 32 (aqueous urea solution, abbreviated “AUS 32”) specified in the ISO standard 22241 and AUS 40 (aqueous urea solution, abbreviated “AUS 40”) specified in the ISO standard 18611 for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx emissions of diesel engines in order to mitigate air pollution, safeguard citizen’s health and assist industries in meeting the requirements of relevant EU emissions legislation.
AUS32 is better known in Europe under the trade name AdBlue®, a trademark that is owned by VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie) and which is licensed to about 400 licensees, including the AGU members.
Issues and Regulations
Topics and regulations
REACH Implementation
The registration and dossier updates of automotive grade urea to comply with the REACH requirements is handled by the European Fertilizer Manufacturer Association.
Consortium management: ReachCentrum
Specific Topics
AGU aims to:
- promote the use of NOx reduction agents (i.e. AUS 32 – aqueous urea solution, abbreviated “AUS 32”, specified in the ISO standard 22241 and AUS 40 – ISO Standard 18611, hereinafter jointly referred to as “AUS”) for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions of engines in order to assist the related industry to fulfil the requirements of the relevant European legislation;
- advocate the use of AUS 40 for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions of engines for ships;
- develop and promote common industry positions and while interacting with regulators, opinion leaders, relevant industry organisations civil society and the general public.
Additional Information
Diesel-powered vehicles, and especially heavy-duty vehicles will be driving on European roads in the next decades. Air pollution caused by NOx stemming from diesel engines is a major concern from a human health and environmental perspective. Modern diesel cars today contain innovative technologies that significantly reduce the emissions. Selective Catalytic Reduction or SCR is one of such technologies and AUS32, traded in Europe under the name AdBlue®, is an essential element of this technology. AdBlue®, in combination with the SCR, can neutralize up to 98% of NOx emissions.
Please find below more relevant information:
- AECC video (February 2021): Technical and Scientific Manager Joachim Demuynck outlines how the Association is further reducing gasoline vehicle emissions through its light duty gasoline demonstration project and continuous innovation of emission controls.
- AECC press release (May 2019), AECC demonstrates diesel is future-proof
- Bosch press release (April 2018), Breakthrough: new Bosch diesel technology provides solution to NOx problem: automotive grade urea is an essential element of this new technology.
- Neste Blog article (May 2017), Let’s not rush with diesel.
- News article (May 2017) about a world-first AdBlue conversion technology.
Chairperson
Chair: Sigurd Engevik Jorgensen, Yara
Vice-Chair: Javier Palomino, Fertiberia
Chair Technical Advisory Group: Luc Coene, Yara
Contact
Aertsens Frédéric
Sector Group Manager
fae (@) cefic.be