Over 90% of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) production is used in gasoline as an octane booster and oxygenate. With its high octane number, it is suitable where higher octane gasoline grades are sold. It has been favoured over ethanol because of its transportability, superior performance in reducing benzene and formaldehyde in gasoline, and its lower volatile organic compound content.
MTBE can also be used to make high purity isobutylene which is further processed to produce butyl rubber, highly reactive polyisobutylene,methyl methacrylate (MMA) and some smaller derivatives. Most of these products are growing at rates well above global GDP as they find new applications. Additionally, MTBE is employed as a solvent and extractant.