Trychem’s Mehul Parmar tells Plant & Equipment how he and his colleagues are enabling Middle East fleet owners to capitalise on the many emissions-related benefits of AdBlue.
Regulations concerning the emission of nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are tightening around the world. Formed when fuel is burned at high temperatures, these toxic gases have a detrimental impact on our environment, exacerbate global warming and negatively affect human health. Exposure to NOx can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system and, in some cases, even lead to conditions like bronchitis and emphysema.
Diesel-powered vehicles such as cars, trucks and off-highway machinery are major contributors to NOx emissions. The problem is, with so many of these units already in operation on highways and worksites across the planet, it is simply not feasible to ban their use. Instead, industry innovators are working with manufacturers to deliver solutions that ensure our use of contemporary diesel technology does cost the earth.
One such solution is diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), more commonly known as AdBlue. When sprayed into the exhaust systems of diesel-powered vehicles, this substance reacts with the fumes produced to break down the damaging mono-nitrogen oxides within. In short, AdBlue represents a practical and effective tool in the fight against NOx emissions.
Owing to its sizeable fleets of heavy-duty, diesel-powered commercial vehicles and construction equipment, the Middle East is ideally placed to capitalise on the advantages offered by this product. To this end, Germany- headquartered Brenntag established Trychem as its UAE-based subsidiary to distribute AdBlue throughout the Middle East.
As Trychem’s Business Unit Leader for Surfactant and Blending Solutions, Mehul Parmar is acutely aware of the benefits that will stem from widespread AdBlue adoption in the Middle East. “When a diesel engine produces exhaust fumes, NOx passes through its catalytic chamber,” he explains. “AdBlue reacts with these gases, converting them into water vapour and nitrogen, reducing NOx emissions by up to 97%.”
“Brenntag entered the Middle East market in 2015, establishing Trychem with a specific focus on AdBlue in the UAE in 2018,” Parmar continues. “Brenntag has now established its own entity in Saudi Arabia and is already active in this market. Further down the line, we intend to supply AdBlue to fleet owners across the Kingdom as well.”
Expansion into the Middle East market could pay huge dividends for Parmar and his colleagues, not to mention surrounding ecosystems. Global AdBlue revenues are on course to reach $44.5 billion within the next decade, according to figures published by Fact.MR, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% during the period 2023-33. As regulations continue to become more stringent in Gulf states, the region is likely to account for an ever-increasing share of the international market.
“All diesel engine producers are now focusing on manufacturing and promoting units that meet regulations pertaining to Euro 5 and above, for which the use of AdBlue is mandatory,” Parmar tells Cameron Hubbard. “In addition to banning all imports of Euro 3 vehicles, the UAE government has imposed strict requirements for the use of AdBlue across the Emirates.”
Given the UAE’s status as a regulatory bellwether for the Middle East, it seems inevitable that DEF requirements will become more stringent across the wider region over the coming years. And as industrial activities in the Gulf continue to grow and evolve, companies with large fleets of commercial vehicles and heavy machinery will need to follow suit. “Just like other lubricants and related products, AdBlue is becoming an essential component of servicing in the Middle East,” Parmar explains.
In a bid to capitalise on this direction of travel, Trychem and its parent company have devised a comprehensive strategy to supply the region. Brenntag is already the largest global distributor of AdBlue and, as such, is well positioned to support ongoing adoption in the Emirates and beyond.
“So far, our primary focus has been the UAE, and we have succeeded in meeting local requirements through our plant in Sharjah’s Hamriyah Free Zone,” Parmar says. “Similarly, we are setting up an entity for chemical blending in Saudi Arabia to cover demand in the Kingdom. This business is primarily about ensuring strong regional distribution, and we are doing extremely well in this respect.”
The success of Trychem in the UAE has been built largely on Brenntag’s impressive track record manufacturing and sourcing DEF-grade urea at an economical price. “We also have extensive technical know-how and are following ISO 22041 standards for DEF.
“As a result, we have secured a solid lead over competitors in the Middle East, and with the regional adoption of AdBlue set to increase even further, our long-term chances of success are high,” he continues.
“In addition, we have invested in a distilled water manufacturing plant, which allows for backward integration. This makes us very strong compared to our peers in the Gulf, especially when viewed within the context of the strict standards we have implemented to ensure the delivery of a superior product.”
It appears that regional demand is more than sufficient to occupy Trychem for the foreseeable future, but what are the company’s priorities over the longer term? Parmar notes that he and his colleagues remain committed to ongoing innovation and development to help maintain their competitive edge.
“In terms of distribution, we plan to expand our network to cover new sectors – especially the marine industry, whose vessels require DEF to run,” he explains. “We are already supplying DEF to a number of cruise ships in the UAE. Given the nation’s status as a hub for tourism and cargo shipping, there are plenty more opportunities for us to grow our activities concerning the supply of marine-grade DEF.
“So, demand is continuously increasing, but so too is competition,” Parmar concludes. “We must therefore continue to differentiate ourselves through consistency of supply and the quality of our product. In doing so, we are confident we can continue to outperform our rivals.”
