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IOSP is at $23.69 as of May 15th 2008 at 13:02 ET 0.32

Our Octane Additives business is the world's only manufacturer of tetra ethyl lead (TEL). For over 60 years we have been producing this highly effective octane enhancer for automotive and aviation gasoline and our knowledge of the product is unrivalled in the industry.

The addition of tetra ethyl lead (TEL) to gasoline was designed to deliver superior engine performance and reduce engine maintenance. Engines can operate at higher compression ratios without knocking. It remains an essential ingredient in aviation fuel.

However as a responsible organisation, we recognise the importance to the environment of reducing lead in automotive fuel so we are supporting the global phase-out programme for TEL in two important ways.

Firstly, we recognise that the economies of some countries continue to depend on this product. They do not have cars with catalytic converters capable of running on unleaded fuel so TEL remains by far the most cost-effective octane enhancer available.

With our extensive market knowledge, built up over many years, we are in a great position to help these countries make the transition to unleaded fuel smoothly. We will ensure the continuity of tetra ethyl lead (TEL) supply during their phase-out period and provide comprehensive advice and guidance on how best to manage the changeover.

Secondly, once a customer's lead alkyls blending plant is no longer required, we offer a complete remediation service to clean up redundant plants and leading facilities through our growing Innospec Environmental business. This includes safety training, technical and engineering support.

Our supply policy

We have put a comprehensive Product Stewardship programme in place for our Octane Additives business to ensure tetra ethyl lead (TEL) products are managed responsibly.

This means we will only supply TEL to refiners and blenders involved in the manufacture of leaded gasolines when we are satisfied they can store, handle and blend the product according to our strict guidelines. Appropriate training is provided to our customers before we supply our product.

Innospec do not supply tetra ethyl lead products to the general public or to third parties involved in the production of after-treatment additives for sale to the general public. Furthermore, we do not condone the use of tetra ethyl or lead-based additives for such purposes and explicitly advise against any such use.