In a significant step toward decarbonizing India’s aviation sector, 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 promote the certification and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the country.
This partnership aligns with India’s SAF blending targets of 1% by 2027 and 2% by 2028, and aims to accelerate the development of indigenous SAF solutions. The collaboration will conduct a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of SAF produced from Indian sugarcane feedstock via the Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) pathway. This critical evaluation will help determine the Carbon Intensity (CI)—a measure of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy—of domestically produced SAF, offering insights into its environmental and economic benefits compared to traditional jet fuel.
The initiative also aims to establish a certification framework tailored to Indian conditions, aligned with globally recognized standards such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) CORSIA and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) CORSIA standard.
Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, "India has immense potential to become a key player in sustainable aviation fuel. This collaboration leverages scientific rigor and global frameworks to ensure our SAF solutions meet the highest standards."
Praj Industries has already demonstrated its SAF capabilities by producing fuel from indigenous feedstock in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and AirAsia India. Its R&D hub, Praj Matrix in Pune, hosts India’s first integrated SAF demonstration plant, underscoring the company’s leadership in this space.
Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist, noted, “Measurements and certifications are key to developing any market. Tailoring these to Indian conditions will not only accelerate domestic SAF development but also ensure global acceptance.”
Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA, highlighted the sugar industry’s proven success in ethanol blending and its potential to become Asia’s largest supplier of low-carbon-intensity next-generation biofuels like SAF.
This landmark collaboration reflects India’s proactive approach to building a low-carbon aviation future. At the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reiterated the country’s commitment to sustainable aviation, calling for global cooperation to promote eco-friendly aviation infrastructure and green growth.