Europe

Following the legislative reduction in octane boosters such as aromatics, olefins, sulfur and metallic additives, Europe turned to MTBE and to a lower extent TAME and ETBE. Certain octane boosters are required to achieve octane RON 95, which is the most popular gasoline grade in Europe and one of the highest in the world.

From 2009, an alternative octane booster, bio-ETBE joined the family of commonly used oxygenates, after the EU approved a mandatory 10% renewable energy share target for the transport sector to be achieved by 2020. The use of ETBE is close to the one of MTBE, nowadays.

In a response to the renewable energy share target, the EU amended the Fuel Quality Directive 98/70/EC and increased the allowable blending of ethers from 15 to 22 %v/v and ethanol from 5 to 10 %v/v. I