French strikes hit ETBE supply, could prompt blended gasoline imports

LONDON (ICIS)–Europe deliveries of ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) are being affected by the French labour strikes, as a result of action by port workers, an industry source said on Thursday.

Refineries require ETBE to blend into their gasoline as an octane booster, as well as to reduce the Reid Vapour Pressure (RVP) of the fuel (a measure of how easily fuel evaporates during the heat).

Deliveries are being affected in France, according to the source, which said it is a “mess”.

“Ports are not working well, refineries are running lower rates or down, so moving any product is challenging,” said the source.

Blenders seeking an alternative in the form of ethanol could be hampered by the haulier strike, which would make truck deliveries difficult, they added.

“They need the ETBE for the octane but ethanol supplies with trucks should be an even larger issue. They might import gasoline [instead of blending it themselves].”

The strike is likely to have a limited impact on ETBE’s fellow ether, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), given that consumption is not so high in France.