India is making steady progress toward decarbonizing its aviation sector, with a government mandate aiming for 1% blending of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2027 and 2% by 2028. Supporting this national target, Praj Industries, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the certification and adoption of SAF in the country.
The collaboration will focus on conducting a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of SAF produced from Indian sugarcane feedstock via the Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) process. This assessment is a crucial step in evaluating the environmental and economic feasibility of producing SAF using domestic resources.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment to sustainability and reducing aviation emissions—an especially difficult challenge in the global decarbonization agenda. A key aim of the partnership is to determine the Carbon Intensity (CI) of SAF derived from Indian sugarcane. CI, typically measured in grams of CO₂ equivalent per megajoule (gCO₂e/MJ), is a critical metric in assessing how much cleaner SAF is compared to conventional jet fuel.
In addition, the partners will work together to develop a certification framework tailored to Indian conditions. This methodology will align with international standards such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) CORSIA and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) CORSIA standards—ensuring global credibility for Indian SAF.
“India has tremendous potential to emerge as a key player in sustainable aviation fuel. This partnership brings together scientific expertise and international best practices to ensure our SAF meets the highest global benchmarks,” said Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries.
Praj Industries has already made notable strides in this field, having successfully produced SAF from indigenous feedstock in partnership with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and AirAsia India. The company’s R&D center, Praj Matrix, located in Pune, houses India’s first integrated SAF demonstration facility.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist, said, “Measurements and certifications are fundamental to market development. Tailoring these elements to Indian realities will not only boost SAF uptake domestically but also support its global acceptance. This MoU is a major step toward positioning India as a key SAF supplier.”
Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA, emphasized the strength of India’s sugar sector in driving next-generation biofuels. “India’s success with the government’s ethanol blending programme has already demonstrated the sugar industry’s capability. Becoming Asia’s leading supplier of low-carbon SAF is the next step in advancing a just and equitable energy transition.”
This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in India’s sustainable aviation journey. It sets the stage for long-term innovation and leadership in green aviation. At the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and called for global cooperation to advance low-emission aviation infrastructure.
