India has significant potential to become a key producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a senior official from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has stated. The country can leverage its existing ethanol supplies and the availability of lipid feedstocks, such as non-edible industrial oils, to contribute to the global SAF production.
Sustainable aviation fuel is seen as a critical component in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon emissions and achieving long-term sustainability goals. IATA’s official highlighted India’s agricultural resources and the growing availability of non-edible oils as key assets that could be used in the production of SAF. The country’s vast ethanol supplies, a result of its robust biofuel sector, can be converted into SAF, making it a potential hub for producing and exporting the fuel.
The development of SAF in India could significantly contribute to reducing the aviation sector’s dependency on conventional jet fuel, which is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. By utilizing locally available resources, India could not only meet its own aviation fuel needs but also position itself as a major exporter in the growing global SAF market.
India’s government has already shown interest in developing the SAF sector by encouraging investments in biofuels and other green technologies. With the right infrastructure and policy support, the country could emerge as a leader in sustainable aviation fuel production, contributing to global efforts to decarbonize the aviation industry.
As the demand for SAF continues to rise, India’s potential to harness its resources for this purpose offers a promising opportunity to reduce the aviation sector’s carbon footprint and strengthen the country’s position in the global aviation market.