Yara's AdBlue storage capacity ensures availability despite urea production reduction

(2008-11-14) Yara's announcement on Friday 14th of November 2008, that it will temporarily stop production of urea in Le Havre and reduce urea production in Sluiskil, will not hinder deliveries of AdBlue to its end-users.

Yara will continue to fulfil its customer contracts from its production sites in Sluiskil and Brunsbuttel and built-up stocks atits terminals. The recent opening of a 5 million litre storage tank in Sluiskil, the world's largest AdBlue plant in the world, represents a doubling of Yara's AdBlue stock holding capacity and its ability to have strategies in place for market developments.

"All together across our 4 AdBlue plants and terminals we have a combined storage capacity of more than 25 million litres, says Bert Van Tilt, Air1 Europe Director. "We have thoroughly prepared ourselves for this temporary shut down of Le Havre and reduction of production in Sluiskil. Our strategy to meet the growth requirements of the market is in place. In addition, Yara remains the reliable AdBlue supplier offering a unique guarantee of reliable high quality AdBlue supply, avoiding dry runs at our customers sites".

Yara's decision to temporarily shut down production of urea in its Ferrara and Le Havre site, as well as reducing its production in Sluiskil is a direct consequence of the current situation in the international urea market. Other urea producers have been making similar announcements and it is expected others will follow. Yara's unique flexible supply model with 4 plants in Europe also allows alternative product sourcing to compensate forthis temporary shut down and reduction of production. The timing of the site restarts will depend on the development in ammonia, urea and natural gas prices.