Industry News

Yara North America Inc Secure USA distributors for DEF

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:59 GMT

As the US Environment Protection Agency's 2010 emissions standards draw nearer, diesel exhaust fluid suppliers are making last-minute efforts to prepare the diesel truck market.

Yara North America are pleased to have signed leading chemical distributor, Colonial Chemical Company, as agents to distribute the Air1 branded DEF solution.

Along with selling Air1 DEF, Colonial Chemical will support Mansfield Oil Co's DeliveryONE network to deliver DEF in its markets.

Other appointments include Pumpelly Oil as exclusive distributor of Air1 in Southern Louisiana and Texas.

Associated sectors are also preparing themselves for the enforcement of the standards, such as filtration solutions firm, Donaldson Co. Inc, who made a substantial investment of several million dollars to further improve manufacturing capacity.

For more information visit Air1.info

Fuel efficiency standard lead to lower global oil prices

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:35 GMT

A new study commissioned by the European Federation for Transport and the Environment has suggested that current thinking about the fuel consumption of vehicles has left out an important element. Specifically the impact of fuel efficiency standards on the price of oil. The report could change the way governments, politicians and the EU views the pricing of transport.

The report, published by the energy consultancy Enerdata, suggests that the European fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles (effective 2012) will lead to lower global oil prices. The report proposes that for every 1% reduction in global oil consumption, the price of oil actually drops by up to 2%.

How this differs from current thinking is that economic assessments of energy efficiency measures normally use fixed oil prices when accounting for economic benefits. By working out that the price of oil will fall when the EU’s mandatory fuel consumption legislation takes effect, it means the economic benefits of fuel efficiency measures have been underestimated, typically by up to 17%.

Managing Director of Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd, Mr Robin Futcher commented, “whilst everyone welcomes any form of saving with regards to fuel expenses, both the government and the industry need to observe the need to remain as fuel efficient as possible,” he continued, “It is in everyone’s interest to operate more efficiently. Hopefully in the future governments will reward fuel efficiency rather than simply impose increased fuel taxes in an effort to reduce consumption. We need to see more incentives and less penalties, it is easy to respond negatively to changes of this nature but I think everyone would react differently if they could see something worthwhile in it for them.”

more information is available from Enerdata http://www.enerdata.fr/enerdatauk/

Elaflex appoint OPW to distribute AdBlue Nozzle

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:04 GMT

Elaflex GmbH based in Hamburg Germany have reached an agreement with OPW Fuelling components to distribute their market leading ZVA AdBlue nozzle.

The nozzle features a unique shut off feature which prevents the diesel tank from being cross filled with DEF (diesel emissions fluid).

Rahul Deshmukh, General Manager of OPW commented “This is a perfectly synergistic relationship for us,” he continued, “OPW Fueling Components is the market leader and has the strongest channel in the United States and Canada, while ELAFLEX nozzles are the de facto standard for DEF users in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) countries. This agreement gives OPW the ability to bring a world-class technology to its U.S. and Canadian channel partners and end-users, while also allowing us to leverage ELAFLEX’s strong relationships with DEF truck and OEM manufacturers in the EMEA.”

Customers should be aware however that the nozzle requires a special filler neck to be fitted to the AdBlue tank on board the vehicle to ensure correct operation.

The ZVA AdBlue nozzle is available to buy across Europe and in the UK from several outlets including, Air1, Centre Tank Services Ltd, Commercial Fuel Solutions Ltd and Elaflex UK Ltd. Models are also available suitable for fuel transfer

More details can be found on the product here: http://handling-adblue.co.uk/equipment/nozzles.htm

Euro 6 Deadline Called Forward

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:28 GMT

Earlier this year, the European Parliament casted a vote challenging whether the revised Euro 6 standard should be implemented ahead of schedule. Previously this deadline for compliance had been pushed back to accommodate global economic changes.

The turnaround means that vehicle manufacturers will now need to comply before the end of 2012. At present the only way to meet the Euro 6 emission standards (80% reduction in NOx to 0.4 g/kWh) is by adopting SCR (AdBlue) technology, a devastating blow to firms who have previously backed rival EGR technology.

Even pro-EGR manufacturers like MAN have had to revise policy statements and admit that in order to reach to Euro 6 standards a small SCR unit will be required on all HGV vehicles.

Gunter Verheugen, the European Commission Vice President, welcomed the change, "Today's agreement of the European Parliament is a good message for the environment. Soon we will have cleaner trucks and buses, which will be trend-setters worldwide."

California to vote on diesel engine exhaust retrofits

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:45 GMT

On December 11th California will be voting on bringing in new regulations to phase in diesel engine exhaust retrofits for 2010 followed by engine replacement in 2012.

In a move to reduce engine emissions, any truck that operates within the state borders and weighs over 14,000 lbs/6,350 kgs will be required to have particulate filters fitted. Fleets with 3 or less trucks will be exempt from the regulations until 2012 when the phase in plan will require at least one of the trucks to be newer than 2004 or have an exhaust retrofit.

The exhaust retrofit particulate filers are expected to cost firms $10,000 to $12,000 each (roughly &ound;6,700 to &ound;8,000). Penalties for non-compliance will be $1,000 to $10,000 per day.