India is set to become a global leader in producing and using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), according to a senior official from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), reported The Hindu Businessline.
Cesar Velarde, ICAO’s ACT-SAF Project Coordinator, shared that India is among the top five countries promoting SAF. During his visit to India for a study on SAF production and usage, he highlighted the country’s strong position in the sector.
“India has everything needed to become a major player in SAF production, including an established fuel industry with suppliers, producers, and refiners. Many important industry leaders are already interested in investing in SAF,” Velarde said.
SAF is a type of fuel made from renewable sources like agricultural waste. It helps lower carbon emissions in the aviation industry. It also plays a role in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), a global effort to reduce pollution from international flights.
CORSIA is being implemented in three phases, with the first two (from 2021 to 2026) being voluntary. India has chosen not to take part in these early phases, but from 2027, Indian airlines will be required to meet the scheme’s guidelines.
To support this effort, the Indian government has set SAF blending targets—1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030. This means a small portion of regular aviation fuel will be replaced with SAF to cut emissions.
Despite its benefits, SAF is still much more expensive than regular jet fuel—costing three to five times more. Velarde pointed out that as more countries produce SAF, prices are expected to drop.
“As production increases and new technology makes SAF easier to produce, the cost gap will get smaller,” he said. “This will make SAF a more competitive fuel option.”
At present, one of the biggest hurdles is the high cost of setting up SAF production facilities. Companies also struggle to secure funding, especially in the early stages of development.
India has an advantage in producing SAF because it generates large amounts of agricultural waste. Every year, around 500 million tons of crop residue is produced, with about 100 million tons being burned in fields, causing air pollution. Using this waste to make SAF would reduce emissions and help clean the environment.
Many Indian companies, including Indian Oil, LanzaJet, Praj Industries, and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals, are already working to develop SAF. Their efforts will not only help India meet its international commitments but also position the country as a future supplier of SAF to the world.
With strong government support, growing industry interest, and the right resources, India is on track to become a global leader in sustainable aviation fuel.
For detailed information and further insights, please refer to BioEnergyTimes.com, which provides the latest news about the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
