Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) | 20 Aug 2025

Source: IE 

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will start commercial  Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production from used cooking oil at its Panipat refinery after ISCC CORSIA (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification for CORSIA) certification, marking India’s first SAF plant and a key step in reducing aviation emissions. 

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) 

  • About: SAF is a biofuel produced from sustainable feedstocks, chemically similar to conventional Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), and can be used in existing aircraft engines and infrastructure without modifications (‘drop-in’ fuel). 
  • Possible Feedstocks for SAF: Oils & fats (Used Cooking Oil, algae oils, animal fats, oil-rich seeds), municipal solid waste, agricultural/forestry residues (sugarcane bagasse, husks etc), and sugars & starches via Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) pathway. 
    • The ATJ pathway converts renewable alcohols (ethanol, butanol) from sugars, starches, or residues into hydrocarbon-based SAF. 
  • Significance: SAF reduces GHG emissions by up to 80%, contributes over 60% to aviation decarbonisation, boosts energy security, creates green jobs, and supports up to 50% fuel blends. 
  • Challenges in SAF Adoption: SAF faces high costs (2-3 times conventional fuel), infrastructure gaps, and challenges in feedstock collection due to seasonal and scattered supply. 

ISCC CORSIA Certification 

  • ISCC CORSIA ensures compliance with ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).  
    • From 2027 (mandatory phase), international airlines must offset emissions above 2020 levels, with SAF blending being a key compliance route. 
  • CORSIA is a global ICAO initiative to limit international aviation CO₂ emissions growth by stabilizing net emissions at 2020 levels through carbon offsetting, credits, and SAF. 

India’s Roadmap 

  • NBCC (National Biofuel Coordination Committee)  targets 1% SAF blending in 2027 and 2% in 2028 for international flights, with domestic mandate post-2027.  
  • This supports Net Zero 2070, gives a first-mover advantage, promotes a circular economy (UCO recycling), and opens export opportunities to European airlines.
Read More: India to Join International Climate Action in Civil Aviation, RUCO initiative