New Delhi: India has the technical and feedstock base to accelerate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production, with 20–25 viable feedstock-processing pathways now commercially available, according to the FICCI–KPMG report “Sustainable Skies: Positioning India as Global SAF Hub.” The report notes that this technological readiness makes scaling feasible within this decade, provided the right policy and investment frameworks are in place.
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“The technological maturity of multiple SAF pathways and the availability of feedstock present a unique opportunity for India to develop a domestic SAF ecosystem,” the report states. It adds that India’s 750 million tonnes of biomass and 5 million tonnes of used cooking oil and waste fats annually can supply much of the feedstock needed to meet initial domestic demand.
The report calls for a national SAF policy framework to guide adoption, with blending targets of 1 percent by 2027 and 5 percent by 2030, fiscal incentives for bio-refineries, and mechanisms for carbon credits and green certification. It recommends that India consider mandating SAF use for international flights departing from the country in alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s CORSIA framework.
According to the report, building a viable SAF industry will require investments of USD 30–40 billion over the next 15 years. This could generate nearly one million green jobs across the SAF value chain — including feedstock collection, refining, and logistics — and reduce India’s crude oil import bill by USD 5–7 billion annually once scaled.
The report highlights that SAF can reduce aviation emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional jet fuels, supporting India’s broader climate commitments. “SAF will play a critical role in addressing the challenge of growth versus sustainability for the aviation sector,” it notes, adding that the sector’s growth trajectory demands early action to secure long-term supply and policy certainty.
It also positions SAF as a “strategic opportunity” for India — one that goes beyond environmental gains to enhance energy security and fuel self-reliance. “By developing a domestic SAF industry, India can effectively enhance its energy sovereignty and position itself as a global hub for sustainable aviation fuels,” the report says.
The report stresses the importance of public–private partnerships and international collaboration to establish regional SAF clusters near feedstock sources. It also underscores the need for coordination among ministries, aviation operators, and biofuel producers to ensure consistent supply chains and certification standards.
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“Achieving SAF scale-up will require coordinated efforts from policymakers, industry players, and investors,” the report states. “India’s ability to leverage its biomass potential and technology readiness will determine its place in the global SAF landscape.”