Oxygenates

In the CIS region, MTBE, followed by ETBE, are the most popular ethers used for octane enhancing after the recent refinery modernization. They are typically used in gasoline grades RON 95 and RON 98 with a sulfur content at a maximum of 10 mg/kg.

There is limited usage of oxygenates in gasoline grade RON 80-93, with a sulfur content at a maximum of 10 mg/kg and even smaller usage when the sulfur content is higher than 10 mg/kg.

There are no mandates for bioethanol. Therefore, no direct motivation for fuel suppliers to blend more costly ethanol and ETBE. The exceptions are Moldova and Ukraine. Moldova imports most of its gasoline from Romania, which has introduced gasoline blended with 10%v/v of ethanol, and ETBE blending is present. In 2019, ethanol reaching 8%v/v in some samples