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Mack Taps Terra Environmental Technologies As Preferred Diesel Exhaust Fluid Supplier
Thursday. June 18. 2009
LEHIGH VALLEY, PA (June 18, 2009) – Mack Trucks, Inc. named Terra Environmental Technologies Inc. (TET), a Terra Industries Inc. (Terra) company, as its preferred supplier of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). DEF – which TET supplies under the brand name TerraCair Ultrapure® DEF (TerraCair DEF) – is a liquid solution used in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), which Mack announced three years ago it would use to achieve the near-zero levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions called for in the federal diesel engine regulations taking effect in January 2010. The 2010 regulations, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), require NOx emissions to be reduced more than 80 percent from the standard that took effect in January 2007.
“SCR emerged as the best technological and performance solution very early in our research,” said Dennis Slagle, Mack president and CEO. “Mack has delivered improved fuel economy with our new MP engine series and SCR gives us the opportunity to improve fuel economy even further. And with SCR, we can truly use the same engines we offer today – same proven injection system, same camshaft, same cylinder head, same block – without the compromises and larger, more complex cooling systems associated with Massive Exhaust Gas Recirculation (MEGR), the other approach to EPA’10.
“SCR also allows us to reach the near-zero NOx emissions standards without resorting to the use of credits,” he said.
Mr. Slagle also pointed to Mack’s extensive SCR validation program and the widespread use of the technology in other parts of the world.
“We already have more than three million miles of North American customer test experience, and the results reinforce our confidence that SCR delivers increased fuel economy, lower operational costs and a continuation of Mack’s legendary durability,” Slagle said. “SCR is proven, mature technology that provides cleaner air and reduces the carbon footprint of trucks that are the backbone of economies around the globe. The technology and the improved fuel economy SCR delivers are already part of everyday life for truck operators in dozens of countries. In Europe alone, there are currently more than half a million SCR-equipped trucks in operation with billions of accumulated miles.”
“We know that SCR works, and now with TET onboard, we’re more certain than ever that DEF will be available when and where our customers need it,” he said. “Terra is a leading North American producer of DEF, with the demonstrated ability to establish a comprehensive supply chain. The business case for such an infrastructure is certainly there, with nearly all heavy- and medium-duty trucks, and more and more light trucks and passenger cars, utilizing SCR.”
TerraCair DEF is a safe, simple, ultrapure solution of water and urea, which can be handled as easily as windshield washer fluid or engine coolant. The agreement between the two companies calls for TET to supply all new Mack trucks with an initial fill of TerraCair DEF at the time of assembly, and, through its distribution partners, provide Mack dealers with the product in portable 1- and 2.5-gallon containers.
Michael L. Bennett, Terra’s president and CEO, said, “We’re delighted that Mack has chosen TET as its preferred supplier. The value we bring to this relationship is our experience with manufacturing and distributing urea solution for NOx reduction in other industries and the dedicated team that we’ve put together to serve emissions control markets.
“TET is establishing similar agreements with other vehicle manufacturers,” he said. “We are also deeply involved in developing additional channels for TerraCair DEF distribution, including mini-bulk containers and full tankloads to serve truck stops and fleet fueling facilities.”
“We know just how effective SCR is in reducing NOx emissions,” added TET President Barry Lonsdale. “We understand the equipment required to dispense DEF – tanks, supply lines, pumps – and have relationships with the suppliers of that equipment, which are critical in establishing a high-volume distribution system. We’re also developing field service and employee training to support this network.”
Facts about DEF:
DEF is a solution of 67.5% purified water and 32.5% urea, an organic nitrogen commonly used in fertilizer, textiles, animal feed and cosmetics. EPA classifies urea as non-hazardous. Urea is naturally occurring, but is also commonly made from natural gas; natural gas is the feedstock for TerraCair DEF. International standards govern DEF quality during production and through distribution.
Only a small amount of DEF is required for Mack’s SCR system to reduce NOx emissions to the near-zero levels required in 2010. Mack’s SCR system will use DEF at a rate of approximately three gallons for every 100 gallons of diesel, so a truck’s onboard DEF tank will have to be topped off only every few refuelings.