Praj, IATA, and ISMA team up on SAF certification in India

Praj Industries, International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers’ Association (ISMA) have teamed up to develop a framework and drive certification of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced in the country.

The framework will focus on conducting a comprehensive lifecycle assessment of ethanol-to-jet SAF produced from Indian sugarcane feedstock. This determines how much cleaner the SAF is compared to conventional jet fuel.

The three firms will also work on developing and defining a methodology for certification in line with the Indian context. The framework will be aligned with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) CORSIA and Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) CORSIA standar.

“India has immense potential to become a key player in SAF. This collaboration leverages scientific rigor and global frameworks to ensure our SAF solutions meet the highest standards,” said Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, founder chairman of Praj Industries.

Praj has already been working with Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and Air Asia India by producing SAF using domestic feedstock showcasing its readiness for commercial deployment. The company has also developed SAF demo plant at Praj’s R&D facility.

“Measurements and certifications are key building blocks in any market. Developing the SAF market in India will be accelerated and its global acceptance will be facilitated by progress in these areas that is tailored to Indian conditions,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, chief economist at IATA.

Earlier in 2023, Praj signed an agreement with Axens to produce SAF in India.