NASHVILLE, TN - Cummins Filtration and Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) announced a new alliance to package, market, and distribute Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in North America. Diesel Exhaust Fluid is required for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems used to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) diesel engine emissions regulations introduced in 2010.  

Fleetguard®-Valvoline Air Shield DEF will be offered through the Cummins and Valvoline distribution channels in the United States and Canada beginning in April 2010. Air Shield DEF is conveniently packaged in 1-gallon and 2.5-gallon bottles, drums and totes. The 2.5 gallon packaging features a vented bottle that can be entirely dispensed in less than 30 seconds, making it fast and easy to use. Exclusive and dedicated Valvoline packaging lines ensure the quality and consistency meet ISO 22241 specifications.  

Compatible with all SCR systems, Air Shield DEF is API and AdBlue - certified and enables on-highway diesel engines to meet the EPA's near zero oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission levels required for 2010 and later on-highway diesel engines.  The SCR systems work by injecting DEF into the engine exhaust, creating ammonia which then flows through a SCR catalyst and reacts to form harmless nitrogen and water vapor.

The new alliance is an extension of the Valvoline and Cummins relationship, initiated in 1995 to deliver products and services that optimize total cost of ownership. "The expansion of this powerful partnership combines our operational strengths to enhance accessibility of genuine DEF technology to meet the growing needs of 2010 engine customers," said K.C. Hall, Director of Business Development for Cummins Filtration. "The high quality packaging expertise of Valvoline, along with their delivery and distribution capabilities, is an excellent complement and enabler to our mission of providing consistent and high quality DEF to our customers at the best possible convenience and cost," Hall said.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Cummins Filtration on DEF," said John Noal, vice president, international and commercial, for Valvoline. "Cummins has been supplying DEF product to the market for several years, and as an engine producer, they are also in a unique position to understand what is best for the engine and our mutual customers. Together, we form an unrivaled supply chain to provide customers with easy and convenient order fulfillment."

For more information about Air Shield DEF, contact your Valvoline or Cummins Filtration sales representative, or call (800) TEAM-VAL (1-800-832-6825) to reach Valvoline or (800) 22-FILTER (1-800-223-4583) to reach Cummins Filtration.