In preparation for 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; and 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 produced from fossil oil in the past. Global Bioenergies’ unique process produces the 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 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.
The Audi A4 2.0 TFSI, provided by the carmaker, Global Bioenergies’ long-term partner, drove around the historical and prestigious Montlhéry speed ring to mark the launch of the next phase of commercial preparation: on-road testing using regular vehicles.
Marc Delcourt, CEO of Global Bioenergies, stated, “The gasoline blend developed by the Company and used here today in Montlhéry has an exceptionally high content in renewable compounds. The market trend for cleaner, less polluting energy sources is likely to be favorable for such blends that match the European regulatory environment. In our next phases, we will focus on the remaining technology and business challenges and prepare the commercial deployment of the technology.”
