Master's Thesis: Development of an E20 Gasoline Specification

What will gasoline look like in a future shaped by increasingly ambitious sustainability requirements?

The transportation sector is undergoing a major transformation, creating a need for new fuel solutions that combine high performance, reduced climate impact, and compliance with future regulations. One of the key challenges is increasing the share of renewable components in gasoline without compromising quality, stability, or functionality.

As a thesis student at VAROPreem, you will have the opportunity to contribute to this development by investigating the potential of a gasoline blend containing up to 20 vol% ethanol and 80 vol% hydrocarbons. By combining literature studies, laboratory experiments, and data analysis, you will explore how different hydrocarbon compositions influence fuel properties and the ability to meet future quality requirements.

This is a unique opportunity for students in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related disciplines who are interested in working on a real industrial challenge at the intersection of organic chemistry, fuel technology, and mathematical modelling. The results may contribute to the development of future gasoline products for the European market and support Europe's transition towards more sustainable transportation in line with the Fit for 55 initiative.
Field of study/Subject
Gasoline sold on the Swedish and European markets must comply with both national legislation and European fuel standards. Increasing the ethanol content in gasoline can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it also introduces significant technical challenges.

Ethanol affects several key fuel properties, including vapour pressure, energy content, distillation characteristics, and material compatibility. One particularly important question is how higher ethanol concentrations influence gasoline vapour pressure and how these changes affect vehicle start-up and driving performance under different climate conditions.

At the same time, the fuel must continue to meet octane rating requirements. Although ethanol has excellent octane-boosting properties, increasing the ethanol content changes the need for different hydrocarbon components in the gasoline blend. Developing a future E20 gasoline therefore requires a deep understanding of the interplay between ethanol, hydrocarbons, vapour pressure, and octane number, as well as how refinery blending components can be optimized to meet future specification requirements.
Purpose
The purpose of this thesis project is to increase knowledge of how a future E20 gasoline can be formulated and produced to meet quality, performance, and sustainability requirements.

The results will support VAROPreem's long-term development of future gasoline products for the European market. By improving our understanding of the relationship between ethanol content, hydrocarbon composition, vapour pressure, and octane number, the project can contribute to the development of fuels that combine high performance with a reduced climate impact.
Thesis Goals
The goals of the thesis are to:

• Conduct a literature review of previous research and experience related to gasoline with higher ethanol content.
  
• Identify the fuel properties that are critical for an E20 gasoline blend.
  
• Design and carry out laboratory experiments based on data and guidance provided by VAROPreem.
  
• Develop a proposal for an E20 gasoline specification with the potential to meet relevant quality and regulatory requirements.
  
• Identify blending and optimization strategies that could enable the introduction of a future E20 gasoline product.
  

Scope
30 ECTS credits
Location
Gothenburg. The project will primarily be based at the Gothenburg refinery. VAROPreem does not reimburse travel expenses to and from the refinery.
Start Date
January or early February 2026, or as agreed.
What We Offer
You will become an important part of VAROPreem, a workplace characterized by a welcoming atmosphere, trust, and strong opportunities for personal and professional development.

The energy market is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. Our purpose is to meet today's energy needs while driving the development of tomorrow's more sustainable energy solutions. At VAROPreem, you will be given freedom with responsibility and encouraged to take initiative and contribute to the continued development of our business.
Do you have this background?
We welcome applicants pursuing a master's degree in fields such as:

• Chemical Engineering
  
• Organic Chemistry
  
• Chemical Physics
  
• Chemistry and Mathematical Modelling
  
• Or another related discipline
  

Is this you?
We believe you are someone who enjoys exploring technical challenges in depth and is motivated by understanding how things work. You are curious, analytical, and enjoy tackling problems that do not always have straightforward answers.

As a thesis student at VAROPreem, you will have significant freedom to drive your work forward while receiving support from experienced colleagues. We are therefore looking for someone who takes ownership of their work, shows initiative, and enjoys collaborating with others.

We place great importance on your interest in the project, your approach to work, and your willingness to contribute new perspectives.
Next Step
If you have any questions regarding the thesis project, please contact:

Malin Berglund
Product Quality Manager
+46 70 577 16 82
malin.berglund@varopreem.se

If two students wish to carry out the thesis project together, we ask that one person submits the application and includes both CVs. One CV should be uploaded as usual, while the second should be uploaded under Additional Documents.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the thesis position may be filled before the application deadline. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than 27 October 2026.

Due to GDPR regulations, we do not accept applications via email.

Union representative contact information is available here.

We look forward to receiving your application!