DEF in short supply

[lllkrob]

Article in Jalopnick today:



Freight trucks worldwide are starting to be sidelined by a urea shortage. A wide-ranging variety of factors, from rising fertilizer and natural gas prices to an export prohibition, have strained the world’s supply of urea.
Urea is the primary component of the diesel exhaust fluid necessary in ensuring that diesel combustion engines function within nitrogen oxide emissions standards across the developed world. A urea-water solution is injected into the exhaust stream of diesel vehicles before the gasses pass through a catalytic converter.
Urea is mainly produced with coal or natural gas as a byproduct of industrial ammonia production. The recent rise of natural gas prices has caused a slowdown in urea production. Along with the increased cost of an ingredient, the factories themselves have had to cut output due to electricity rationing in the world’s largest supplier, the People’s Republic of China.
Urea is also an ingredient in fertilizer. The short supply and rising urea prices have also caused an increase in fertilizer prices. The Chinese government has distributed massive subsidies and banned urea export to assist its farmers and secure its food supply.
South Korea relies heavily on imports of urea from China. Truck drivers have had to turn down jobs if it required running their engines either too long or too harshly as it could mean running out of urea. The country even resorted to airlifting urea from Australia. Now, Australia is at risk of running out of urea. Eighty percent of Australia’s urea supply is imported from China
This shortage has the potential to continue cascading out of control and affect even more countries. South Korea was able to negotiate a short-term deal with China to resume exports, but how likely is it that China will reach similar agreements with other countries and stabilize the global supply?

[R.Wold]

Ive read about that but all the stores around here have stacks of it. Maybe there’ll be a delayed response....

[High Road Travelers]

I've been hearing rumblings about a DEF shortage, but didn't pay too much attention. So I just did some reading up on the subject, and this could be the straw that breaks the camel's back, so to speak.
There is a shortage, according to the news reports and articles that I read; and it could be a major, dramatic issue in much of the world within weeks or months.
If anything can wake Americans up to our lack of independence and our dependency on other countries (who do not like us), this may be it. I sincerely hope that it is not as bad is it seems because it will be rougher on most of us than we have ever seen.
On the upside; DEF, urea, fertilizer and ammonia can and are being made in this country. I mention these because DEF is made from urea, which is made from ammonia, which is made from natural gas or lpg normally. Fertilizer is made from ammonia. (To be clear, I am no expert or chemist, I just read some informative articles tonight).
Thanks,

[TurtleKent]

I started worrying three weeks ago about our snowbird travels, so started looking. Walmart DEF was out of stock central & south Ohio, KY, and TN. Located 6 jugs, so I'm good for this winter. Tonight still very limited availability at Walmarts throughout the country.

Search this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[move on]

We don't need urea to operate our diesel engines. The world was doing just fine without it. Then came the EPA. I don't know how we ever allowed these bumbling bureaucrats to design our engine control systems.

[BonS]

With permission of the EPA the use and need for DEF can be turned off and eliminated. Ain't going to happen. DEF is the new toilet paper. Shortages caused by truck emission standards, high fuel costs, inflation, independent trucker lockouts, vaccination status, and DEF shortages. It's not getting better any time soon. </end rant>

[HighDesert]

FWIW - was in Costco yesterday and they had pallets of Blue Def.

[thegats1]

[QUOTE=TurtleKent;6015380]I started worrying three weeks ago about our snowbird travels, so started looking. Walmart DEF was out of stock central & south Ohio, KY, and TN. Located 6 jugs, so I'm good for this winter. Tonight still very limited availability at Walmarts throughout the country.




WalMart is often out of a lot of automotive things. I try to buy my Rotella 15W40 because it is very cheap there there but they are almost always out. I don't believe they move fast to restock auto parts and supplies. I often buy my oil and air filters there for my vehicles. I estimate about a 65% chance they will have everything I need when I go there. I often have to pick up the rest at the overpriced Auto Zone nearby. As for Blue DEF I did notice Loves was completely out of it on I-10 on the few stops I made on my way to Big Bend from Houston. I bought the Love's brand and it seemed to work just fine.

[vettenuts]

NAPA has it on sale right now, think I will check tomorrow.

[CAT Lover]

Originally Posted by move on

We don't need urea to operate our diesel engines. The world was doing just fine without it. Then came the EPA. I don't know how we ever allowed these bumbling bureaucrats to design our engine control systems.

Because they claim it's for your own safety.

[USMCRET]

WalMart is often out of a lot of automotive things. I try to buy my Rotella 15W40 because it is very cheap there there but they are almost always out. I don't believe they move fast to restock auto parts and supplies.

Coincidentally, I was in my local walmart this week and noted the shelves that normally hold DEF and Rotella are completely empty. They have not had DEF in an appreciable quantity since last summer. Not having the oil was a surprise though.

[Caymanedge]

My local places are pretty empty too. I ordered some from Walmart last night online and should have it in a few days. I usually don't keep a lot around because it does have a shelf life.

[vettenuts]

Went to the local NAPA today. They have the OWI Blue DEF on sale for $12.99. However, they also had three pallets of Oilzum DEF, which is made in Massachusetts and sold locally in New England, for $10/jug. He said they get it in weekly from the plant so it’s pretty darn fresh although I don’t know how to decipher the date code.

[Lault]

Originally Posted by Caymanedge

My local places are pretty empty too. I ordered some from Walmart last night online and should have it in a few days. I usually don't keep a lot around because it does have a shelf life.

Empty in Florida Walmart And Georgia