Every litre of AdBlue® made to ISO 22241 is the same product, whether it comes in a 10 L drum or a 30,000 L tanker load. What changes with pack size is the price per litre, the equipment you need to move it, and how long it sits on your site before it is used. Getting the pack size right keeps running costs down without leaving you with stock that ages in the heat.
What each option costs per litre
Pack size has a bigger effect on price per litre than most buyers expect. Working from Liquidia's published Ex Works prices (ex GST, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne):
| Pack | Price | Approx. per litre |
|---|---|---|
| 10 L drum | $19.50 | $1.95 |
| 15 L drum | $27.50 | $1.83 |
| 20 L drum | $31.50 | $1.58 |
| 210 L drum | $185 | $0.88 |
| 1,000 L IBC (timber base) | $890 | $0.89 |
| 1,000 L IBC (steel base) | $990 | $0.99 |
Bulk tanker deliveries (1,000–32,000 L) are quoted on volume and location. Current figures are always on the AdBlue price list, and delivery is quoted to your suburb, so add that in when comparing.
The step from small drums to 210 L drums or IBCs roughly halves the cost per litre. That is why a site that goes through a few hundred litres a month is usually paying too much if it is still buying 20 L drums.
Small drums: 10, 15 and 20 L
Small drums suit light users and anyone topping up away from base.
- Good for: cars and utes, small workshops, service vehicles, remote jobs, and as a spare on a truck.
- Handling: one person can lift and pour them. A 20 L drum weighs a little over 20 kg full, so a 10 or 15 L drum is easier for repeated pouring.
- Watch out for: the highest price per litre, more packaging to dispose of, and contamination from funnels or open caps. Use a clean, dedicated spout every time.
210 L drums and 1,000 L IBCs
These are the middle ground for workshops, small fleets, farms and construction sites.
A 210 L drum pairs with a hand drum pump (lever or rotary) or a small electric pump. It needs a drum trolley or forklift to move, but it fits in a corner of most workshops.
A 1,000 L IBC weighs about 1,150 kg full, so you need a forklift to unload and position it. In return you get a low price per litre and a simple setup: an elevated IBC with a gravity feed kit needs no pump at all, or you can fit a 240 V pump and auto shut-off nozzle for faster filling.
IBCs should sit on level ground, out of direct sun, ideally under an insulated cover. Never refill an IBC that has held another product. A clean AdBlue IBC should be dedicated, sealed, with intact tamper seals and a clean valve.
Bulk tanks and tanker delivery
Once you use several thousand litres a month, an on-site tank filled by tanker usually makes the most sense. There are no containers to handle or return, the price is based on volume, and a dispensing system with a meter lets you track use by vehicle.
Bulk does need upfront planning: a suitable tank (single-skin or bunded), a pump and filter, a level gauge, and a delivery point a tanker can reach. Bunding and storage rules vary, so check with your state EPA and your site requirements. Tanks can also be leased with scheduled refills, which spreads the cost. See bulk and on-site supply for how this works.
Match pack size to use and storage life
The lowest cost per litre only pays off if you use the stock before it ages. AdBlue shelf life depends on storage temperature: roughly 18 months if kept at or below 25°C, 12 months at or below 30°C, and only about 6 months at or below 35°C. A drum or IBC left in a hot yard all summer loses life quickly.
A practical rule you can apply today: work out your monthly use, then choose the largest pack you will empty within about three to six months in your conditions. As a rough guide:
- Under about 50 L a month: 10–20 L drums.
- About 50–200 L a month: 210 L drums.
- About 200–1,500 L a month: IBCs, possibly two on rotation.
- Several thousand litres a month: an on-site bulk tank.
If you are not sure of your monthly volume, the AdBlue usage calculator gives a quick estimate from kilometres or diesel use.
How Liquidia can help. Liquidia supplies every pack size from 10 L drums to bulk tanker loads, made and lab-tested in Australia. Browse drums, IBCs and pump bundles in the online store, or ask about tanks and scheduled refills on the bulk and on-site page.