Yara North America Inc. announced the launch of new DEF production and distribution capabilities at its plant in Belle Plaine, Canada. The news follows the successful completion of the first DEF shipments under the Air1 brand earlier this month.

The plant, located in the heart of the Canadian prairies, will increase Yara’s capacity to supply fleets and retailers in the Midwestern U.S., a crucial transportation hub, as well as throughout Canada.

Heavy-duty fleets and retail outlets rely on selective catalytic reduction and DEF as the market-proven solution to comply with the strict emissions standards established by the Clean Air Act in 2010. As a result, DEF demand in North America continues to increase, with consumption expected to reach 204 million gallons in North America by the end of the year.

Integer Research, the leading DEF market analyst, predicts this will double to 402 million gallons by 2015 and the U.S. is expected by many to become the largest DEF market in the world.

The launch aligns with the company’s business strategy to invest in products and solutions that address major global issues related to environmental challenges such as lowering emissions and improving air quality. In May, Yara strengthened its coast-to-coast network of DEF storage terminals with the opening of a facility in Chesapeake, Va.

The company also supplies the North American market with its production capabilities at its site in Sluiskil, Netherlands, the world's largest DEF production facility.