The European Fuel Oxygenates Association (EFOA)
Who we are
EFOA covers fuel ethers, included in the environmental specification for clean fuels. Fuel ethers, such as MTBE (methyl-tert-butyl-ether), ETBE (ethyl-tert-butyl-ether) and TAME (tert-amyl-methyl-ether), help improve air quality while at the same time maintaining the high performance of gasoline. EFOA aims to establish itself as a long-term and useful resource in the wide ranging discussion about (clean) fuel components and their environmental impact, especially water and air quality issues.
EFOA is chaired by Bruno Héry, LyondellBasell Industries. The following companies belong to EFOA: Ecofuel, Evonik Oxeno, Hellenic Petroleum, Lukoil Neftochim Bourgas, LyondellBasell Industries, Neste Oil, Polski Koncern Naftowy Orlen, Repsol YPF, Sabic Europe, Saras and Total.
What we do
- Founded in 1985, EFOA (Association of European Fuel Oxygenates Producers), represents the European Fuel Ether industry in a wide variety of technical and government initiatives.
- EFOA is dedicated to the responsible usage and the promotion of chemical ether fuel oxygenates as components of gasoline. It supports and disseminates state-of-the art scientific research on the benefits and impact of ethers on health and the environment.
- EFOA believes in the application of sound scientific principles and actively promotes constructive co-operation with all stakeholders: regulators, legislators, industry, NGOs etc. It is recognised by the European Commission as a stakeholder on fuel quality and biofuels.
The best known and widely used fuel ethers are MTBE (methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether), bio-ETBE (ethyl-tertiary-butyl-ether) and, to a lesser extent, TAME (tert-amyl methyl ether) and bio-TAEE (tert-amyl ethyl ether). The Renewable Energy Directive (COM(2008)30) & Fuel Quality Directive (COM(2007)18) adopted in December 2008 will determine the development of the bio-ether market.
The EU Risk Assessmentreports of MTBE and ETBE carried out by the EU confirmed that exposure to these products are not expected to have any harmful impact on human health, the atmosphere or the environment. These conclusions demonstrate that fuel ethers have a key role to play in permitting Europe to achieve better air quality.EFOA activities include, among other things:
- Make the advantages of fuel ethers known to users and producers of petrol as well as car manufacturers and international authorities
- Assess and monitor the implications of the Renewable Energy Directive (COM(2008)30) and Fuel Quality Directive (COM(2007)18) for its members
- The regular update of the MTBE Resource Guide - a comprehensive guide to the safe handling of MTBE and gasoline (available on the EFOA website).
- The update of the product bulletin on ETBE
- Involvement in research projects in co-operation with Concawe
- Address environmental issues relating to oxygenated fuels.
- Development and launch of the Fuel Ether REACH Consortium
- Raise awareness for the correct transport and handling of fuel ethers. In 2008, EFOA published guidelines on MTBE/ETBE tarnsport over inland waterways. English, German and Dutch versions available.
Want to know more?
Visit www.efoa.org - addressing questions from the industry's stakeholders, including the general public. Should you have any further questions, feel free to contact us.
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