China ends reliance on racing fuel imports

China's self-developed 103-grade racing gasoline was officially put into use in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Saturday, filling the domestic gap and ending reliance on imports for top races.

Previously dependent on imported fuel, China has now mastered the core technology needed to self-develop and manufacture racing fuel by China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, or Sinopec, which meets premier standards and has entered mass production.

This breaks China's longstanding reliance on imported fuels for top-tier motorsport events and fills the void in domestically produced high-performance racing fuel, said the State refining giant.

It serves as a major milestone, indicating that the nation's oil refining technology has reached world-class standards, it said.

Previously, China's high-end racing fuel market relied heavily on imports, with some teams blending their own oil, leading to high costs and unstable supply chains. The launch of this domestic product changes this situation, as it meets top racing standards and realizes industrial mass production, marking China's mastery of core technology in high-grade racing gasoline, it added.

Experts believe the initiative marks a milestone in the refining industry, boosting related industrial chains, as China is securing higher profits by targeting the markets for specialized chemicals and cutting-edge materials.

"This strategic pivot not only meets the rising international demand for eco-friendly and premium-quality goods, but also safeguards profitability in an increasingly crowded market," said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

Even with escalating global rivalry, Lin believes that China maintains a robust competitive edge thanks to its complete industrial supply chain, massive domestic consumer base, and continuous funding for new technologies and facilities.

According to Sinopec, the racing fuel is specifically designed to provide explosive power, rapid acceleration and smooth operation for high-speed, heavy-load motorsport engines.

Through integrated research and production, this premium fuel guarantees a stable, high-performance supply that aligns with rigorous professional racing and environmental standards.

A report by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation said the Chinese petrochemical sector will transform into a greener, more innovative and globally connected leader, as the nation navigates the worldwide shift in energy.

China's petrochemical industry has been investing heavily in green technologies and circular economy practices, aligning with the country's broad environmental goals and the global green push, said Fu Xiangsheng, vice-president of the federation.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn