India is set to join the league of nations producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by the end of this year, marking a significant milestone in the country’s green aviation transition, according to a senior official from the UN body International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), reports The Hindu businessline.
Jane Hupe, Deputy Director, Environment Branch, Air Transport Bureau at ICAO, told businessline that India is emerging as a “key player in the global green energy transition for aviation.”
“India is taking measures and initiatives right now and reacting to the green energy transition for aviation, which is quite impressive. India will be producing SAF from HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) by the end of the year,” Hupe said.
Production is expected to commence at Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat refinery, with initial supplies ready before India’s blending mandates come into effect in 2027. Even if timelines shift slightly, Hupe said, early production will help build confidence in the sector.
An ICAO study, conducted under its global ACT-SAF programme, highlighted India’s abundant feedstock and policy momentum, suggesting that the country could not only meet domestic demand but also become an exporter in the future.
India generates over 750 million tonnes of biomass annually, including nearly 230 million tonnes of surplus agricultural residue. Sugarcane waste and rice straw (parali) were identified as the most promising raw materials.
Notably, parali is a major contributor to winter air pollution in northern India. Converting it into jet fuel, Hupe noted, offers the dual benefit of cutting pollution and supporting clean energy targets.
The study identified multiple technological routes for SAF production. The most immediate option is the HEFA process, which uses waste cooking oil. “You are now already using your cooking oil from frying samosas to fly in India,” Hupe remarked, adding that the technology is de-risked and deployment-ready.
A more advanced pathway, Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), is also being explored for the medium term.
While the ICAO report does not prescribe specific policy tools, it outlines options such as blending mandates, financial incentives, and market-creation strategies to accelerate adoption. Hupe said that existing farmer incentives could be adapted to promote SAF feedstock.
On costs, SAF is currently three to four times more expensive than conventional jet fuel. However, Hupe compared it to the early solar sector, stressing that higher production volumes will drive down prices. Additionally, volatile fossil fuel prices could, at times, make SAF more competitive.
Addressing concerns about fuel efficiency, Hupe clarified that SAF is a “drop-in fuel” and performs nearly identically to conventional jet fuel. “Some SAF variants can even deliver better energy content than fossil fuels,” she said, distinguishing it from ethanol-blended petrol, which reduces mileage.
With its vast feedstock resources and supportive policy environment, India is poised to play a pivotal role in the global shift towards cleaner aviation energy, ICAO’s study concluded.
