Yara – the world’s largest producer of AdBlue – calls on the European Union and national governments to act urgently and decisively to ensure Europe reinforces its strategic autonomy.  

Produced in the same plants that make fertilizers, AdBlue is essential for a functioning transport sector and for cleaning the air we breathe. More than 29 million vehicles in Europe require AdBlue, allowing them to run without emitting dangerous NOx from their exhausts. That includes 25 million passenger cars and light commercial vehicles and roughly half of Europe’s trucks, lorries, and buses. Without AdBlue, they will not function, and Europe’s transport sector would be on its knees.  

 “Continuous and undisrupted supply of AdBlue is vital. Clean air to breathe and a functioning transport sector are fundamental for society. Fertilizer and food supplies, pharmaceutical and hospital supplies – they all rely on AdBlue,” says Jorge Noval, President of Yara Industrial Solutions. 

The manufacture of AdBlue is an integrated part of the production of nitrogen for fertilizers. This vital industry uses natural gas as feedstock. 

Weaponized by Putin, this critical resource is now at risk. Skyrocketing natural gas prices have already led to widespread production curtailments. But an outright stop of gas supplies would hit more than just the production of fertilizers. The European food chain relies on nitrogen industry outputs essential also for the meat, food processing and beverage industries. And most critically, for the unbroken low temperature-controlled network necessary for preserving food as it travels through the supply chain. 

Beyond the food chain, European industry needs nitrogen products in the health sector, the pharmaceutical industry, the construction industry and many more. Coal-fired power plants – now restarting to produce the electricity Europe is so short of – need nitrogen solutions to operate without dangerous NOx emissions.  

With carbon emissions considerably below global averages, Europe’s nitrogen industry is instrumental for keeping the lights on and the wheels turning.  

The very functioning of Europe is in peril without a strong European nitrogen industry. The EU’s package of solutions for the European fertilizer industry should therefore include measures to: 

1. Secure continued access to natural gas to fertilizer plants. Natural gas is the feedstock, the raw material needed to keep the production running. To keep the lights on and the wheels turning.  
2. Reinforce Europe's strategic autonomy. Rather than lowering barriers to imports from Russia or elsewhere, European authorities should prioritize the supply of raw materials for European nitrogen production – to avoid increased carbon emissions and prevent new dependencies. The Commission should also monitor and control the volumes coming into Europe from Russia.

Yara looks forward to contributing to the debate within the European Parliament and with national governments on the EU fertilizer communication. Europe needs a robust nitrogen industry to ensure food security and a functioning, autonomous and resilient Europe.  

About Yara 

Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Supporting our vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, we pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara’s ambition is focused on growing a nature positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders, and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain. 

To achieve our ambition, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming and work closely with partners throughout the food value chain to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Through our focus on clean ammonia production, we aim to enable the hydrogen economy, driving a green transition of shipping, fertilizer production and other energy intensive industries. 

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry’s only global crop nutrition company. We operate an integrated business model with around 17,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries, with a proven track record of strong returns. In 2021, Yara reported revenues of USD 16.6 billion. AdBlue is part of the Yara Industrial Solutions offering. https://www.yara.com 
 

Contacts: 

Liz McNamara 
Director, Communications & Culture 
Yara Industrial Solutions 
Mobile: +47 454 85 632 
E-mail: liz.mcnamara@yara.com 

Sigurd E. Jørgensen 
Director, Public Affairs 
Yara Industrial Solutions 
Mobile: +47 977 06 434 
E-mail: sigurd.engevik.jorgensen@yara.com