Platts opens consultation on GHG savings, fuel quality in European ETBE

S&P Global Platts is opening a formal consultation on the typical minimum level of greenhouse gas (GHG) savings and on the typical quality or purity for ETBE traded in Europe.

GHG SAVINGS:

Following feedback in adjacent markets to ETBE, Platts understands that GHG savings in the EU are measured as an absolute level of carbon intensity (CI), or as a percentage GHG saving compared to the fossil fuel comparator.

The Platts ETBE assessment currently reflects material with a minimum greenhouse gas saving of 50%.

Platts invites comments on whether CI is specified in a fungible portion of the European ETBE market.

Following a separate consultation process, S&P Global Platts has decided to change the specification on fuel grade ethanol reflected in its Ethanol T2 FOB Rotterdam assessment, to reflect ethanol meeting a maximum CI of 33.52g CO2e/MJ. Full details are provided in a subscriber note available here: https://rb.gy/xdsg4m and in the ethanol FAQ available here: https://rb.gy/ngeqvp

A maximum CI of 33.52g CO2e/MJ is currently equivalent to a minimum GHG saving of 60% based on a fossil fuel comparator of 83.8g CO2e/MJ under the European Commission's Renewable Energy Directive (RED) I framework.

FUEL QUALITY:

The Platts ETBE assessment currently reflects material with a minimum purity of 95%. Initial feedback suggests that a significant proportion of ETBE production in Europe does not consistently meet a minimum 95% purity.

Platts invites comments on the typical quality or purity for ETBE traded in Europe, and on the quality differentials between minimum 90% purity and minimum 95% purity.

The feedback period will conclude on October 7, 2020.

Platts ETBE specifications can be found in page 10 of the methodology document here: https://rb.gy/fguqds

Please send all feedback, comments or questions to petchems@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com by Oct. 7, 2020.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available to the public upon request