Pemex to deploy E6 ethanol blend to replace MTBE

In Mexico, Pemex announced that it would commence production of an E6 ethanol blend in  Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City, stating that it would phase out the use of MTBE as an oxygenating fuel additive. MTBE has been used for many years to increase the complete burning of fuel to reduce emissions, but the additive has been found to cause toxic groundwater contamination, and ethanol has been widely used as an MTBE substitute.

Pemex said that it would commence distributing E6 in a test fleet starting next month, and distribute 52 Mgy of ethanol to Guadalajara by 2010. The state oil company said that it would spend up to $30 million on infrastructure to support the change to E6. Long-term, Pemex said that it would expand distribution to Monterrey and Mexico City and move towards an E10 blend, as well as test biodiesel as a lubricating additive to ultra-low sulphur diesel.

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