The Indian Sugar & Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) announced that it has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and PRAJ Industries to accelerate the development of sustainable bioenergy solutions. These agreements focus on advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and exploring other bioenergy alternatives, including bio-ethanol, bio-gas, green bio-hydrogen, and green methanol.
SAF, unlike conventional jet fuels, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, addressing one of the aviation industry’s biggest environmental challenges. “Through our collaboration with TERI’s research and policy expertise and PRAJ’s cutting-edge technology, we aim to overcome these challenges and create a robust bioenergy ecosystem in India,” said ISMA’s Director-General, Deepak Ballani, in a statement.
This partnership is part of a broader effort to build a bio-economy and low-carbon energy infrastructure in India. It will promote knowledge sharing, policy advocacy, and capacity building, contributing to the country’s sustainability goals.
SAF Blending and Government Targets
The collaboration aims to create favorable conditions for SAF production and deployment, aligning with India’s goal of reducing its aviation sector’s carbon footprint. ISMA noted that this initiative would support the country’s target of achieving 1% blending of SAF with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) by 2027 and 5% by 2030, as mandated by the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). CORSIA’s second voluntary pilot phase is set to take place from 2024 to 2026.
The aviation sector currently accounts for 3% of global carbon emissions—nearly 1 billion tonnes annually. As the industry’s contribution to global emissions continues to rise, the need for alternatives to traditional jet fuel has become increasingly urgent. ISMA believes that this collaboration will help address this growing challenge by advancing SAF and other biofuel technologies.