Qatar Fuel Additives Company (QAFAC), a subsidiary of Industries Qatar, is planning to increase production of MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), a gasoline additive, in refineries at Mesaieed and Ras Laffan due to increasing demand for cleaner fuels in Qatar
MTBE is the most widely used oxygenate, following the global phase-out of lead as an octane enhancer in gasoline.
Hamad Rashid al-Mohannadi, QAFAC chairman, said, “With the steadily growing demand for MTBE, QAFAC is working together with Qatar Petroleum in exploring the possibilities of expanding MTBE production in Mesaieed and Ras Laffan.
“As the domestic and regional gasoline market continues to grow, and with the construction of a new gasoline refinery at Ras Laffan Industrial City, MTBE has an important role to play in the production of gasoline that meets the Euro 5 standards.”
QAFAC currently produces 1,830 tonnes of MTBE a day, according to the company.
It is produced by processing butane and methanol.
