What are ETBE and MTBE?
Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE) and Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) are both high octane, low volatility ethers. They are produced by combining alcohol with isobutylene from oil refineries. MTBE was preferred by major oil companies and has been the largest selling oxygenate in the world while ethanol is second. Recently, MTBE has received a great deal of negative publicity because of water contamination problems in areas where it is used. MTBE has already been banned in California and Iowa and legislation is pending in other states to have it banned as well. ETBE has taken the place of much of the MTBE demand.
