The move comes in the wake of IOC's tie-up with Elf last week, which gives the oil major the exclusive right to market the ELF brand of diesel and petrol additives.

According to Pennar Chemicals--which is also representing Elf in India for fuel additives--vice-president, operations, S Ilanahai, IOC plans to import 8,000 litres of Elf brands EMDFA (Elf multi-functional diesel fuel additive) and ELFP905 (additive for petrol) initially. The additives come in 20ml packs, and 1ml is normally used as additives for petrol or diesel. With the signing of the pact with Elf, Ilanahai said that IOC had for the first time recognised the need for using additives. The big challenge for IOC and others in the fuel additives market will be to sell the concept to Indian vehicleusers first.