Global Bioenergies runs vehicles on 34% isobutene-derived compounds

In France, for the first time, Global Bioenergies will use an EN228-compliant gasoline blend containing over 34% of renewable, isobutene-derived, compounds to fuel a car on a circuit. Global Bioenergies will also present the results of preliminary engine testing conducted these past months by FEV, a European leader in engine testing.

In preparation of commercial uses, Global Bioenergies developed several gasoline blends with two isobutene-derived compounds:

– Isooctane, obtained by the condensation of two molecules of isobutene followed by hydrogenation,

– ETBE, obtained by the condensation of isobutene and ethanol.

Both compounds are high-performance additives (high octane rating equal or higher than 100) that have been in the past produced from fossil oil. Global Bioenergies’ unique process allows to produce the very same compounds from renewable feedstocks such as industrial-grade sugars, straw, residual wood and potentially syngas.

The blends prepared by incorporating both ETBE and isooctane were designed for compliance with the EN228 norm, and are thus already authorized for sale to any gasoline car owner without any specific labeling requirement.

FEV, a German corporation leader in the field of engine testing, analyzed the characteristics of these high octane fuel blends using a single cylinder engine, a reliable model of four-stroke engines.