GreenChem, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of AdBlue is looking forward to a significant growth in sales in 2010.
Founding Chairman Teun de Bruijn is forecasting a 30 per cent uplift in demand reflecting both a growth in truck usage and sales from the depressed levels of 2009 and the much enhanced supply network GreenChem is putting in place.
The increase follows an extremely tough year for all AdBlue suppliers in 2009. Its now clear that trucks with SCR technology use significantly less Adblue than originally forecast by truck and engine makers and, although the number of trucks using AdBlue grew sharply during the year, overall truck usage fell due to the difficult economic conditions. In fact many trucks have been temporarily laid up until conditions improve.
During the coming year GreenChem expects to boost its network of production sites with a further seven coming on stream. One in Lyons France began operation in late 2009 and two further sites in Germany, two in the UK and one each in Italy and Slovenia (serving northern Italy) will be inaugurated this year.
“For GreenChem 2009 was a difficult year but we have emerged into 2010 much stronger and fitter thanks to our new major shareholder, Agrofert. We are well placed to further build our market position in the truck and bus industry where demand will rise as post-recessionary national economies strengthen and our much improved supply chain comes fully on stream”, said Teun de Bruijn.
“As the EU moves towards finalization of the new Euro 6 emissions standard – for which all trucks and buses will need to use SCR technology with AdBlue – there is a further uplift in demand in prospect and we must not forget the increasing number of light commercial vehicles and passenger cars which will begin to consume AdBlue in the future”, he said.
Agrofert, the second largest producer of urea – the staple ingredient of AdBlue – in Europe, took a 70% stake in GreenChem during 2009. This strategic partnership brings together the production and supply sides of the AdBlue business in a unique way, enabling a fully integrated supply chain from factory to truck. This is important in delivering top quality AdBlue which is a product which is intrinsically safe and stable yet susceptible to corruption if not manufactured, stored and dispensed in the correct way.
