IEW 2026: Trade body expects India SAF roadmap to emphasize alcohol-to-jet fuel production

India is expected to release a sustainable aviation fuel roadmap that could place significant emphasis on producing jet fuel from alcohol, Deepak Ballani, director general of the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers' Association, said Jan. 28.

The SAF roadmap could tap into surplus ethanol production capacity, positioning India as a supplier of clean aviation fuels as blending mandates are set under global frameworks, Ballani said on the sidelines of the Jan. 27-28 India Energy Week in Goa.

"We have the raw material, we have the extra alcohol and the extra ethanol," Ballani said, highlighting feedstock advantages and, existing infrastructure of sugar mills that could be utilized. In the pathway for SAF, "90% is going to be alcohol to jet [mode for production]."

ISMA has recently submitted its recommendations to the government based on a Deloitte study covering production requirements through 2030, Ballani said. The association projects commercial production starting around 2028.

India has the potential to produce 4 billion liters/year of SAF, Ballani said, adding this could be targeted for export to the global markets.

"As of now, the government has not taken a call" for the use of SAF in India's domestic market, he said. "So 4 billion liters will be required for the international mandate."

The association has requested around $1.1 billion for 2G ethanol projects and about $170 million for SAF capacity, with the broader outlay aimed at supporting pilot projects, new technologies and equipment innovation in the upcoming Union Budget in February.