MTBE — High-Octane Gasoline Blending Component | Royal Global Energy
MTBE
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MTBEMethyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether

A gasoline component produced from natural gas-derived TBA (tertiary butyl alcohol) and methanol. MTBE is used as a high-octane additive that helps gasoline burn cleaner and reduces automobile emissions.

Unlike ethanol, MTBE does not increase evaporative emissions from gasoline and is fully fungible in existing gasoline distribution systems — designed for use as a blending component in motor vehicle fuels.

Export: Africa-Middle East Asia-Pacific Europe Mexico
Blending Octane Number (RON) — axis 80–120
MTBE~118
Base Gasoline~91–95

MTBE's high blending octane is what makes it valuable as a gasoline additive — a modest dosage lifts the octane rating of the whole finished pool.

MTBE TBA Methanol Octane Booster Gasoline Blending ETBE Clean-Burning Fuel Middle East MTBE TBA Methanol Octane Booster Gasoline Blending ETBE Clean-Burning Fuel Middle East
The TBA Family

How MTBE
is made

Gasoline additives based on the tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) molecule have been incorporated into gasoline since the 1970s, helping refiners meet increasing standards for cleaner-burning fuels.

That same TBA chemistry underpins three related products: gasoline-grade tertiary butanol, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), and ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE) — each an oxygenate used to raise octane and improve combustion in motor gasoline.

TBA

Tertiary butyl alcohol

The feedstock precursor, derived from natural gas, that reacts with methanol to form MTBE.

MTBE

Methyl tert-butyl ether

The primary ether product — the most widely used gasoline oxygenate for octane enhancement.

ETBE

Ethyl tert-butyl ether

An ethanol-based analog to MTBE, offering a similar blending profile as an alternative oxygenate.

Oxygen content by oxygenate

TBA-derived ethers Alcohol oxygenate
MTBE
18.15 wt%
ETBE
15.7 wt%
Ethanol
34.7 wt%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Oxygen content by mass, %. Ethanol carries far more oxygen per unit volume than the TBA-derived ethers, which is part of why it behaves differently in blending and distribution.

Reference

Typical properties

Property Typical value
Molecular formula C₅H₁₂O
Molecular weight ~88.15 g/mol
Boiling point ~55.2°C
Density @ 20°C ~0.7405 g/cm³
Oxygen content 18.15 wt%
Blending RON / MON ~118 / ~101
Product‑level reference. Full specification with test methods follows below.
Benefits & Applications

Where it's used

MTBE is designed for use as a blending component in motor vehicle fuels, across markets that value clean combustion and distribution compatibility.

Octane enhancement

A high-octane additive component that helps gasoline burn cleaner and reduces automobile emissions.

Distribution compatibility

Fully fungible in existing gasoline distribution systems — unlike ethanol, it does not increase evaporative emissions.

Motor fuel blending

Designed specifically as a blending component for motor vehicle fuels, exported across four major regions.

Octane Booster Emission Reduction Pipeline Compatible Motor Fuel Blending

MTBE vs. ethanol

Unlike ethanol, MTBE does not increase evaporative emissions from gasoline and is fully fungible in existing gasoline distribution systems — no dedicated tanks, pipelines or blending infrastructure changes required.

Africa-Middle East
Asia-Pacific
Europe
Mexico
Facility & product

Our
operations

MTBE etherification unit
MTBE storage tanks at export terminal
Technical data

Full specifications

Property Typical value Test method
Physical form Liquid Visual
Appearance Colorless Visual
Molecular formula C₅H₁₂O —
Density @ 20°C ~0.7405 g/cm³ ASTM D‑1298
Boiling point ~55.2°C ASTM D‑86
Oxygen content 18.15 wt% ASTM D‑4815
Research Octane Number (RON) ~118 blending ASTM D‑2699
Motor Octane Number (MON) ~101 blending ASTM D‑2700
Flash point ~‑28°C ASTM D‑93
Swipe to see all columns
Oxygenate Oxygen content Notes
MTBE 18.15 wt% Standard gasoline oxygenate, pipeline-compatible
ETBE 15.7 wt% Ethanol-derived ether, similar blending profile to MTBE
Ethanol 34.7 wt% Increases evaporative emissions (RVP); needs dedicated distribution handling
Swipe to see all columns
Comparison for reference only — blending performance depends on base gasoline composition and target specification.
Storage

Storage & export loading

MTBE is stored as an ambient-temperature liquid, but its low flash point (around ‑28°C) makes it more volatile than most finished gasoline blends — storage and loading systems are built around vapour control and flame-arrestor protection.

Loading is metered and sampled at custody transfer, with vapour recovery controlling emissions from the tank's vapour space throughout the fill.

~118 RON
Blending octane number
18.15 wt%
Oxygen content
~55°C
Boiling point
‑28°C
Flash point
MTBE CLASS 3 FLAMMABLE loading arm vapour recovery
Storage & vessel property Specification
Containment type Atmospheric fixed-roof / internal floating-roof tank
Design pressure Low, vapour-controlled given high volatility
Storage temperature Ambient, unheated
Material Carbon steel
Loading method Top or bottom loading — truck, rail or marine arm
Metering Mass flow / Coriolis, custody transfer
Safety systems Vapour recovery unit, flame arrestors, earthing/bonding
Regulatory class Flammable liquid, Class 3 (UN 2398)
Cargo‑specific loading and storage parameters vary by terminal and vessel; full loadmaster data shared pre‑fixture.
MTBE shipping

Transport &
classification

Shipping data for MTBE cargoes, moved under standard petroleum liquid regulations for road, rail and marine transport.

MTBE is classified for transport as UN 2398, Methyl tert-butyl ether, confirmed on the shipping documentation for each cargo.

Class 3, Flammable Liquid, Packing Group II, carried in dedicated tank vessels, tank trucks or rail tank cars.

Moved under ADR/RID as a Class 3 flammable liquid, in dedicated tank vehicles and tank wagons with appropriate placarding and static-bonding precautions.

Given its low flash point, MTBE storage relies on vapour recovery and flame-arrestor protection, with static bonding/earthing per site HSE procedures.

Documentation

Download specifications

Full data sheets and comparison reference, ready to share with your engineering team.

MTBE
Specification sheet · PDF
 MTBE vs. ETBE vs. Ethanol
Reference sheet · PDF
 TBA Product Line
Reference sheet · PDF

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