Aussie trucking industry is saved after one deal

Trucks will not be ground to a halt next month after a major deal was struck.

The nation’s trucking industry will be kept on the road after the Australian government secured a deal with a local manufacturer to supply AdBlue.

The industry had been left in the lurch after China banned exports of urea, which is essential in AdBlue – an additive to diesel which controls nitrogen oxide pollutants.

The Morrison government set up an AdBlue Taskforce to find an alternative before trucks came to a standstill.

Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said the deal struck with fertiliser manufacturer Incitec Pivot would ensure local production of refined urea to be used for AdBlue.

Incitec Pivot will rapidly design, trial, and on completion of successful tests, scale-up manufacturing of significant quantities of Technical Grade Granular Urea, which is a critical component of AdBlue.

The manufacturer will supply quantities as needed by current suppliers.

AdBlue will be produced by a local manufacturer as part of the government’s intervention to keep the trucking industry moving.

Mr Taylor said the announcement would provide the trucking industry with certainty, without impacting agriculture fertiliser supply to local farmers, or disrupting local distribution chains.

“This agreement is another important part of the governments broader strategy to build supply chain resilience, which includes addressing shipping issues, ensuring local supplies of critical products and bolstering local manufacturing capability” he said.

He said the government would continue seeking to secure additional supplies from international sources.

Trade Minister Dan Tehan said Australia would receive 5000 tonnes of refined urea from Indonesia in January – enough to make an additional month’s worth of AdBlue.

“By working closely with our partners, we have been able to secure this critical supply for Australia. We will continue to strengthen our close relationships around the world to support and further Australia’s interests,” he said.