Delhi, 9th June 2025:
In a step towards decarbonizing India’s aviation sector, ISMA, in collaboration with IATA and Praj Industries, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the certification and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in India. The collaboration aims to accurately determine the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of SAF produced from Indian sugarcane feedstock via the Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) pathway—a crucial milestone in demonstrating the economic viability of indigenous SAF solutions and enabling a truly just energy transition.
With India targeting a 1% SAF blending mandate by 2027, increasing up to 5% by 2030 under CORSIA, this partnership underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and the reduction of aviation emissions—an area widely acknowledged as among the most challenging to decarbonize.
However, the absence of an officially accepted carbon intensity value for the Indian sugarcane-to-SAF conversion process via Alcohol to Jet pathway presents a significant barrier—limiting the eligibility of Indian biomass feedstock under CORSIA. This MoU strategically builds upon ISMA’s ongoing collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to calculate the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Indian sugarcane-based SAF this critical gap.
With the immense potential of India’s sugar industry to produce the world’s lowest carbon intensity SAF through the Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) pathway—an internationally recognized and commercially proven technology—India is well-positioned to emerge as a regional hub for SAF production. Overall estimates indicate a production potential of 19–24 million tonnes annually, underscoring the need for swift, on-ground implementation through stakeholder-driven partnerships like this.
Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA, emphasized, “The success of the Government of India’s Ethanol Blending Programme has proven the sugar industry’s ability to deliver climate impact at scale while supporting rural livelihoods. SAF is the next big step—where India can lead as Asia’s foremost supplier, and this will be the best possible demonstration of the industry’s capacity. This partnership is key to unlocking new markets, creating green jobs, and driving a just, science-led energy transition.”
This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in building the scientific foundation necessary to scale SAF production in India, enabling Indian producers to access global markets, reaffirming India’s commitment to climate leadership and innovation in aviation, reinforcing the country’s long-term vision for a Viksit Bharat.
