Lyondell Chemical Company announced today that it is producing and marketing the automotive fuel component ETBE [ethyl-tertiary butyl ether] out of its plant in Fos-sur-Mer, France.
ETBE is derived by reacting bio-ethanol (from biomass) with isobutylene to produce a high-octane gasoline component. As an oxygenate, ETBE can be easily blended into gasoline within a refinery or blending facility to produce clean burning fuel with low tailpipe emissions.
ETBE in gasoline reduces exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from vehicles, thereby improving air quality. ETBE offers low Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP), low reactivity, and low water solubility, further enhancing its usefulness in gasoline blending formulations. ETBE's low RVP makes it possible to incorporate biofuels into gasoline blends without the need for vapour pressure waivers, which impact emissions and air quality.
All European Union Member States are currently developing plans to implement a directive promoting the use of biofuels such as ETBE. Lyondell's production of ETBE supports this EU effort. Lyondell can play a leading role in this biofuels expansion due to its strong technical capabilities and significant commercial experience in producing and marketing large quantities of fuel ethers in the European market.
Lyondell is currently the largest fuel ether producer in the European merchant market representing approximately 1.2 million metric tonnes per year of ether capacity at its plants in Rotterdam, Netherlands and Fos-sur-Mer, France. The Lyondell plant in France has the flexibility to produce both ETBE and MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether). Lyondell will continue to be a leading global producer of MTBE in addition to advancing the company's ability to produce ETBE in support of the European biofuels directive.
Lyondell Chemical Company, (http://www.lyondell.com ), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a leading producer of: propylene oxide (PO); PO derivatives, propylene glycol (PG), butanediol (BDO) and propylene glycol ether (PGE); and styrene monomer and MTBE as co-products of PO production. Through its 70.5% interest in Equistar Chemicals, LP, Lyondell also is one of the largest producers of ethylene, propylene and polyethylene in North America and a leading producer of ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, high value-added specialty polymers and polymeric powder. Through its 58.75% interest in LYONDELL-CITGO Refining LP, Lyondell operates one of the largest refineries in the United States processing extra heavy Venezuelan crude oil to produce gasoline, low sulfur diesel and jet fuel.
