In a significant stride towards decarbonizing India's burgeoning aviation sector, Praj Industries, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) have formalized a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This landmark collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption and certification of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in India, particularly focusing on indigenous sugarcane-based feedstock.
India has set ambitious targets for SAF blending, with a mandate of 1% by 2027 and escalating to 2% by 2028. This partnership is crucial in laying the groundwork for achieving these national goals and positioning India as a global leader in sustainable aviation.
The core of this MoU revolves around a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of SAF derived from Indian sugarcane via the Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) pathway. This scientific evaluation will determine the precise Carbon Intensity (CI) number for this unique Indian SAF. Carbon Intensity, expressed in gCO2e/MJ, is a vital metric that quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of a fuel, from feedstock cultivation to consumption, and is critical in demonstrating its environmental superiority over conventional jet fuel.
"India has immense potential to become a key player in sustainable aviation fuel," stated Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries. He emphasized that the collaboration "leverages scientific rigor and global frameworks to ensure our SAF solutions meet the highest standards."
Beyond assessing carbon intensity, the alliance will work collaboratively to establish a robust certification methodology tailored to the Indian context. This framework will be meticulously aligned with internationally recognized sustainability and emissions reduction standards, including the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) CORSIA and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) CORSIA standard. Such alignment is paramount to ensuring global acceptance and market access for Indian-produced SAF.
Praj Industries brings significant expertise to this partnership, having already made considerable progress in SAF development and commercialization in India. The company, in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) and AirAsia India, has successfully demonstrated SAF production from indigenous feedstock, proving its readiness for commercial deployment. Further reinforcing its commitment, Praj Matrix, Praj's R&D facility in Pune, proudly hosts India鈥檚 first integrated SAF demonstration plant.
This strategic collaboration not only underscores India's unwavering commitment to pioneering sustainable aviation but also lays a strong foundation for a low-carbon future. By driving innovation and environmental stewardship, this initiative is poised to make a significant contribution to the global aviation sector's decarbonization efforts. The alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent emphasis at the 81st IATA AGM on India's push for SAF to reduce emissions and promote green growth further solidifies the national significance of this partnership.
