OREANDA-NEWS. Bashneft has started to produce ATUM-95 motor gasoline and sell it via the Company's retail network; this is a new high-quality premium fuel that is more environmentally friendly and characterized by improved fuel performance. The new fuel meeting the Euro 5 standard has been developed in cooperation with experts from BASF, one of the leading companies in the global chemical industry.

Fuel tests have confirmed that ATUM-95 has a strong cleansing effect and helps to keep intake valves of an engine perfectly clean. The use of the product prevents the formation of new deposits and removes over 60% of impurities accumulated earlier in the fuel system. Unique cleansing properties of ATUM-95 will help to improve engine performance in accordance with its initial settings, to increase the engine's capacity and extend its maximum useful life, and to reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions. In terms of cleansing properties, ATUM-95 matches European premium fuels and meets the strict requirements of the Worldwide Fuel Charter.

'Impressive results of tests of ATUM-95 provide new evidence confirming technological leadership of Bashneft's refining complex and high quality of our petroleum products,' said Dmitry Panyukov, Vice President for Regional Sales. 'The Company will continue to make efforts to offer consumers state-of-the-art fuel and to make a substantial contribution to environmental protection.'

'Together with our partners from BASF, we have tried to create a product meeting the latest standards in fuel quality,' emphasized Elena Fomina, Director of Bashneft's Marketing Department. 'ATUM-95 gasoline is intended for those who care about the technical condition of their car and are concerned about improving the environment.'

'The ATUM-95 branded fuel combines cutting-edge technologies developed by BASF and Bashneft's achievements in oil refining,' commented Christoph Baehr, Head of Sales of the Fuel and Lubricant Solutions division of BASF in Emerging Markets of Europe. 'Advantages of ATUM-95 have been confirmed in the course of tests in our company's test centre in Ludwigshafen (Germany).'

The innovative formula of ATUM-95 combines high consumer-oriented and environmental performance and helps to prevent side effects in the course of operation of a vehicle. ATUM-95 gasoline is suitable for engines of any type and design; it protects components of the fuel system against corrosion and is resistant to cold.

Today Bashneft has started selling ATUM-95 at 43 of its filling stations in Udmurtia. Sales of ATUM-95 in the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Orenburg Region are expected to start after the necessary technical measures have been implemented.

Bashneft started selling its first premium gasoline, ATUM-92, in September 2013 in the Republic of Bashkortostan; later the Company started to sell the fuel via its retail network in Udmurtia and the Orenburg Region. To date, sales of ATUM-92 have made up about 25% of the total sales of Regular-92 gasoline.