Tighter gasoline specs for Taiwan

Taiwan’s new gasoline specifications, outlined two years ago, will come into effect on January 1, 2007. The maximum allowable sulfur content will be reduced from 180 parts per million (ppm) to 50 ppm. The maximum reid vapor pressure will also be reduced from 8.9 psi to 8.7 psi and the maximum oxygen content will be raised from 2% to 2.7% by weight. The tighter specs, which are aligned with Euro-II, also place a cap on aromatic hydrocarbons (36% by weight) and olefins (18% by volume). More stringent specs for gasoline were set a year later than that for diesel fuel to give refiners extra time to upgrade their facilities. (November 8, 2006)