Concerns over panic-buying AdBlue

Civil Contractors Federation Queensland chief executive officer Damian Long said the organisation was concerned about the consequences of people panic-buying AdBlue amid fears about security of supply in the next few months. Mr Long saw the current situation more as a warning than dire situation, saying he had faith in the government and other stakeholders to top up supply of the diesel exhaust fluid. "Supply shortages have happened in the past and we've managed to deal with them," he said. CCF Queensland chief executive officer Damian Long. "This has come to the forefront because a sudden drop of supplies out of China and Australia dropping its capacity has alarm bells ringing - and rightly so." Mr Long said the CCF understood there were enough supplies to last until February/March 2022 as long as there was no panic buying. "We have spoken with industry and suppliers and are confident that collectively there is great effort being made to solve the issue," he said. While much of the machinery that keeps the civil sector turning is diesel powered, Mr Long said most would be older earthmoving equipment which did not require AdBlue. However the industry would be heavily impacted by supply problems should a lack of AdBlue hit the ability of Australia's trucking fleet to continue operations. Related: AdBlue supply fears spark action The diesel exhaust fluid is based on urea and de-ionised water, and global supplies of urea are tightening as China closes off exports. Mr Long said solutions included making synthetic urea in Australia and securing alternative international suppliers. He said also many believed that China would resume exporting urea after the winter Olympics. "The speculation is that China has stopped exporting urea to take pressure off internal fertiliser supply and prices which is due to closed plants near the winter Olympics to improve air quality," Mr Long said. He said CCF Qld had been giving industry clients a heads up regarding possible supply issues that may or may not arise. "We will work with all civil construction industry stakeholders to ensure any fallout is appropriately managed to reduce the damage to our members and stakeholders," Mr Long said. Be alert not alarmed says heavy vehicle industry leader Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia chief executive Todd Hacking echoed Mr Long's view's on supply. "You might read or hear fearmongering suggesting that we are on the cusp of a major crisis, but it is more a case of being vigilant and alert, rather then alarmed, as industry and government work together to find alternative solutions," he said. Mr Hacking said the disruption to global urea supply was concerning, but by working together it was solvable. "Government is acting. Federal Industry and Energy Minister Angus Taylor MP has taken the lead and is coordinating a cross departmental effort. He has already co-opted Australia’s Chief Scientist to investigate scientific options for locally produced supply," he said. Mr Hacking said that if industry could avoid panic buying and hoarding, Australia’s supply should be secure until at least February or March, providing the breathing space to find a solution. "Don’t be mistaken – action must be taken urgently, but it is wrong to think nothing is being done," he said. "While the problem has international roots, it is another example of our country’s resilience being tested. In this global economy it has been accepted practice to produce what you are good at and import everything else. "Between the 2019-20 bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, industry and government have functioned at unprecedented break-neck speeds to develop solutions for a whole range of emerging challenges. And this is another one." Mr Hacking said the situation was in many ways an opportunity for Australian industry. "As always, when the chips are down industry will step up. It already is," he said.

Concerns over panic-buying AdBlue

Industry Queensland

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