Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Why in news?
Recently the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has formally allowed ethanol blending in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to promote indigenous SAF production.
What is SAF?
- Chemistry: It consists of specially processed hydrocarbons chemically similar to conventional ATF, making it fully compatible with existing engines without modifications.
- Lifecycle Benefits: Unlike fossil fuels that release "new" carbon into the atmosphere, SAF recycles carbon already present in biomass or waste.
- Blending Limits: Currently, most global standards allow for a 50% blend of SAF with conventional jet fuel.
India’s Mandatory Blending Targets
India has established a clear roadmap for international flights departing from its airports:
- 2027: 1% indicative blending target.
- 2028: 2% blending target.
- 2030: 5% blending target.
- Domestic Flights: No mandatory targets have been set for domestic flights as of April 2026, creating a "bifurcated strategy" for the sector.
Challenges to Adoption
- High Cost: SAF currently costs 2 to 3 times more than conventional jet fuel.
- Supply Gaps: Global SAF production accounts for only 0.6% of total jet fuel consumption as of early 2026.
- Logistics: Challenges in the seasonal collection and transportation of scattered feedstock (like agricultural waste) across the country.
Collaborative Efforts in India
- CSIR-IIP: The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) is the first and only Indian organisation to indigenously develop SAF.
- Airline Partnerships: SpiceJet and Boeing are working with CSIR-IIP to explore large-scale commercial use of indigenous SAF.
Download Pdf
