Russian refineries have been granted the right to add monomethylaniline (MMA) – a toxic octane-boosting component banned since 2016 – to gasoline for the first time in 10 years. The decision was made amid fuel shortages in the regions, Izvestia reports.

Until December 31, 2026, commercial gasoline may contain up to 1% MMA and up to 42% aromatic hydrocarbons, and the sulfur content has been raised to 150 mg/kg. According to experts, this will provide an additional 50 thousand tons of high-octane AI-92 and AI-95 monthly.

The Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission has already zeroed import duties on fuel and additives until mid-2027 – without the benefit, the rate was 5%.

MMA was banned in 2016 during the transition to eco-class K5: the component increases nitrogen oxide emissions, and the Polish Bureau for Chemical Substances recorded carcinogenicity risks. The return to the additive is a forced measure: the shortage of reformate and alkylate at refineries does not allow meeting demand with standard formulations. Discounts on railway transportation are being developed for component suppliers, and the standard for exchange sales of gasoline has been reduced from 15 to 10%.