Specifications for commercial fuels in Argentina have been established by Resolution 1283/2006 published on September 6, 2006. The regulation also includes specifications for biodiesel and its blends.
Please log-in to view the full version of this article (subscription required).
Argentina has three grades of diesel fuel, as follows:
- Grade 1, also known as AGRODIESEL or GASOIL AGRO, is intended mainly for agricultural equipment. Sale of Grade 1 diesel is optional at retail outlets.
- Grade 2, also known as GASOIL COMUN (common diesel fuel), is intended for the bulk of diesel fuelled vehicles. Grade 2 diesel fuel is available with 2 different sulfur levels depending on the population density of the location where it is retailed.
- Grade 3 diesel fuel, also known as GASOIL ULTRA, is the highest quality diesel fuel and is supposed to be available starting February 1, 2006. Sale of Grade 3 diesel at retail outlets is optional until 2008.
At the time the regulation was published, the sulfur limits amounted to 3000 ppm for Grade 1, 1500/2500 ppm (depending on the area) for Grade 2, and 500 ppm for Grade 3. Sulfur limit reductions occur in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2016. After the last reduction, in June 2016, the sulfur limits become 1000 ppm, 30 ppm, and 10 ppm for the three respective grades.
Law 26.093 requires 5% biodiesel to be blended with diesel fuel starting January 1, 2010.