Diesel EN 590 10 ppm
EN 590 is the European standard for automotive diesel. At 10 ppm sulfur it is the grade behind road transport across Europe and in the many markets that have adopted the same limit.
Ten parts per million
Modern diesel engines clean their exhaust with particulate filters and catalysts that sulfur would poison. EN 590 therefore caps sulfur at 10 milligrams per kilogram, and sets limits for ignition quality, density and cold-weather behavior alongside it.
The standard defines climate classes, so the same grade is supplied in summer and winter versions. An enquiry should name the class or the season of delivery.
- Product type
- Ultra-low-sulfur diesel, a middle distillate
- Governing standards
- EN 590
- Sold by
- The metric ton
- Typical buyers
- Fuel distributors, fleet and industrial operators
- Carried in
- Clean product tankers
What EN 590 requires
| Property | Reference | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Sulfur | 10 mg/kg maximum | Protects particulate filters and catalysts. It is the first figure a buyer checks. |
| Cetane number | 51 minimum | Measures how readily the fuel ignites. Higher values give smoother combustion. |
| Density at 15 °C | 820 to 845 kg/m³ | Converts volume to weight and indicates energy content. |
| Flash point | Above 55 °C | A safety limit for storage and handling. |
| Cold filter plugging point | +5 °C to −20 °C for temperate classes A to F | The temperature at which wax blocks a fuel filter. Winter grades go lower. |
| Biodiesel content | Up to 7% by volume | Some buyers require diesel free of biodiesel, which must be stated. |
Limits are those published in the named standards, given for reference. The specification written into the sales contract governs.
Classes a buyer may ask for
Temperate classes A to F
Six classes for temperate climates, defined by cold filter plugging points from +5 °C down to −20 °C.
Arctic classes 0 to 4
Five classes for severe winters, with cold filter plugging points from −20 °C to −44 °C.
B7 and B0
Diesel with up to 7% biodiesel, or with none.
Storage and shipping
- Cargo sizes. Medium-range product tankers carrying roughly 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes are the usual parcel.
- Clean tanks. A few parts per million of sulfur picked up from an earlier cargo can put a parcel off specification. Tank and line history matter.
- Inspection. An independent inspector normally samples and certifies the parcel at the loading port.
- Seasonal grades. Cold-flow requirements change through the year, so the delivery month affects the class supplied.
Storage and transport are provided by third-party terminal operators and carriers. We coordinate them. How storage and shipping are arranged
What to send with your enquiry
- Climate class, or the season and region of delivery
- Whether biodiesel content is acceptable
- Quantity in tonnes and how often you need it
- Destination port or terminal and preferred Incoterm
- Delivery window
Send these details and we will tell you whether we can source the product and on what terms. Price, quantity and specification are fixed in the sales contract.