Bio-MTBE

MTBE – an oxygenate created by a reaction between isobutylene and methanol – is mainly used to raise octane levels in gasoline. Thanks to higher oxygen levels, gasoline burns more completely, thus reducing tailpipe emissions.

In the past years, MTBE has been partially replaced by ETBE, an oxygenate made from isobutylene and ethanol. Because ethanol is made from renewable resources, ETBE is useful for meeting the targets of the Renewable Energy Directive.

Many gasoline formulation however, still contain MTBE. By replacing regular methanol with bio-methanol, it becomes possible to produce bio-MTBE in existing facilities without having to make any process or blend changes, providing fuel suppliers with another attractive way to comply with the EU biofuels directive.

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