Pioneering a Pathway from Ethanol to Jet Fuel
India has embarked on a transformative journey toward sustainable aviation, leveraging its agri-industrial strengths to redefine global expectations. In a promising move, a new alliance between Praj Industries, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) is targeting the heart of aviation decarbonization: accurate carbon intensity (CI) assessments of homegrown Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Why Sugarcane-Based SAF is India’s Strategic Advantage
Unlike feedstocks in temperate zones, sugarcane from tropical India offers a high-energy, renewable resource that aligns with circular bioeconomy principles. The partnership’s goal is to assess the life cycle emissions of SAF made via the Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) pathway using Indian sugarcane, which could position India as a benchmark for climate-smart fuel production.
The collaboration will define a CI benchmark tailored to local conditions while aligning with global standards such as the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) under the CORSIA framework. This effort aims not only to validate Indian SAF on the global stage but to set a precedent for regionally adapted methodologies.
Science-Driven Certification: A Step Beyond Compliance
Carbon intensity is the currency of credibility in SAF. The MoU goes beyond symbolic intent—it prioritizes data-backed legitimacy by initiating a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that captures the full cradle-to-grave carbon profile of Indian sugarcane SAF. This initiative stands to demystify the sustainability claims that surround alternative fuels.
India’s blending mandate—1% SAF by 2027 and 2% by 2028—may seem modest. Yet, the significance lies not in the volume but in the methodology. Establishing an indigenous certification framework could prove invaluable as countries globally grapple with how to scale SAF without compromising sustainability.
Building on Indigenous Innovation
Praj Industries, known for its prowess in industrial biotechnology, has already demonstrated India’s readiness. By producing SAF from local feedstock in partnership with Indian Oil Corporation and AirAsia India, Praj set the stage for commercial viability. Its SAF demonstration plant at Praj Matrix in Pune symbolizes the leap from lab to runway.
The alliance’s emphasis on scientific accuracy reflects a shift in the SAF discourse—from aspirational to actionable. IATA’s involvement ensures that the outcome is globally interoperable, while ISMA’s participation secures feedstock scalability and industry alignment.
A New Paradigm in SAF Localization
One overlooked insight here is the concept of “climate-contextual fuel design”—developing SAF strategies that reflect regional feedstock, land use, and energy profiles rather than imposing one-size-fits-all frameworks. This collaboration exemplifies how local nuances can shape global frameworks without compromising scientific rigor.
As Marie Owens Thomsen of IATA noted, measurement and certification are the market’s cornerstones. A credible, India-specific framework can open international SAF markets to Indian producers, enabling economic benefits while contributing to global climate targets.
From Ethanol Blending Success to SAF Leadership
India’s ethanol blending success offers a clear precedent. The nation’s ethanol economy, nurtured through the sugar industry, proves it can implement complex biofuel mandates at scale. This SAF collaboration builds on that foundation—taking a proven framework and adapting it for aviation.
ISMA’s endorsement highlights sugar producers’ readiness to diversify into aviation biofuels, signaling a robust industry shift. Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA, emphasized the opportunity for India to emerge as Asia’s leading SAF producer with one of the lowest carbon footprints.
Conclusion: From Modest Targets to Global Influence
What makes this initiative remarkable is not just the 2% blending target or the MoU itself—it is the intentional, systems-based approach to emissions verification and certification. In a global sector dominated by rhetoric, India is quietly laying the groundwork for verifiable, scalable, and climate-smart SAF production.
This partnership signals a maturing phase in aviation sustainability—one driven by regional expertise, scientific precision, and collaborative vision. As the world looks for credible pathways to net-zero aviation, India’s sugarcane SAF initiative may offer the blueprint.