Troubling diesel additive a world 'costsaver'

By CHRIS DANIELS consumer reporter

The mystery chemical additive behind the dirty diesel scandal is promoted worldwide as a way for oil refineries to cut costs.

A Weekend Herald investigation has revealed that a fuel additive named Dodiflow was put into New Zealand's winter diesel supplies for the first time this year.

The New Zealand Refining Company, part-owned by the four big oil companies, has consistently refused to name the new chemical it added to its winter diesel.

Energy Minister Pete Hodgson has demanded a full report into the diesel problems, as truck, car and bus owners across the country are forced to replace filters blocked by the new fuel mix.

Manufactured by the European chemicals giant Clariant, the Dodiflow additive is touted by the company as offering savings for oil refineries.

" ... of key interest to the refinery are the total treatment costs in producing winter diesel," says a product information page.

"The application of a Dodiflow additive, selected specifically to match the conditions particular to your refinery, can lead to significant treatment cost savings ... "

Oil companies have told more than 400,000 diesel truck and car owners that they must continue paying the same price to use the dirty fuel for at least a month, until clean fuel can be transported to tanks around New Zealand.

Marine diesel tanks are the only ones that have been pumped out and refilled with clean fuel, while the Gull and Challenge chains remain the only companies selling clean diesel to motorists.

The refining company yesterday rejected any suggestion that cost-cutting was to blame for the fuel crisis. A spokesman said the Dodiflow additive had been selected for "commercial and technical reasons" - not to save money.

Last night, it promised a full, independent inquiry into the problem. A report would be sent to the Government as soon as possible.

Yesterday, the company said it had called in lawyers to investigate whether Clariant could be sued over the additive.

Importers of an additive called Paraflow, which was previously used by the refining company to make winter diesel, have been asked to rush in emergency supplies.

Graham Catley, the general manager of Estorchem Trading, which imports Paraflow, made by the Infineum chemicals company, said it had been used in New Zealand for the past two to three years. Dodiflow was now used, after Clariant won the tender to supply a winter additive.

Mr Catley said he could not comment on the price or performance of his competitor's product.

Murray Nancekivell, managing director of Chemcolour Industries, which imports and distributes Clariant products, said the Dodiflow additive was used in refineries all around the world and was not "a special brew just for New Zealand."

A company scientist, Werner Reimann, had asked for samples of fuel filters and diesel to be sent to Germany.