The new gasoline is called S-50 because it has a maximum sulfur content of 50 mg/kg or parts per million (ppm)—representing a 94% decrease in sulfur content compared to gasoline previously sold in Brazil, allowing vehicles to be introduced with modern technology to treat and reduce of sulfur oxide (SO_x) emissions by 35,000 tons/year.

(California, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and several other countries have gasoline sulfur limits of 10 ppm. (Earlier post.)

Sample of outgoing S-800 and incoming S-50. Click to enlarge.

This gasoline reduces gas pollutants emitted from the exhausts of engines manufactured after 2009 by up to 60% for nitrogen oxides (NO_x), 45% for carbon monoxide (CO) and 55% for hydrocarbons (HC).

The new fuel has other benefits such as low deposits forming on valves, fuel injectors and within the combustion chamber; increasing the performance and extending the life of the catalytic converter; reducing engine wear; plus the lubricant lasts longer, maintaining energy efficiency with lower maintenance costs.

Petrobras was the first to remove lead completely from Brazilian gasoline in 1989.

The new gasoline is available at Petrobras service stations throughout Brazil as well as other national distributors and continues to identify “regular gasoline” or “premium gasoline” at service station pumps depending on what type of fuel it is.

Between 2005 and 2013, Petrobras invested R$20.6 billion (US$8.7 billion) on 21 new units allowing S-50 gasoline to be produced at all of its refineries.