Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Science and Significance
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a drop-in alternative to conventional fossil-based jet fuel (kerosene-based ATF) that can be produced from a range of non-petroleum feedstocks. SAF is chemically similar to conventional ATF but has a significantly lower lifecycle carbon footprint — capable of reducing carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional ATF on a full lifecycle basis, depending on feedstock and production pathway. SAF is recognised globally as the single most scalable tool for decarbonising commercial aviation, which accounts for approximately 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions.
- SAF production pathways include: Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), Power-to-Liquid (PtL), and Direct Air Capture (DAC) routes.
- India has feedstock potential for producing 19–24 million tonnes of SAF annually — well above the estimated maximum requirement of 8–10 million tonnes at a 50% blend by 2030.
- The IS 17081 specification by BIS governs synthetic aviation fuels — its incorporation into the ATF marketing order is the key regulatory move enabling legal SAF blending.
- SAF blending roadmap: 1% (2027), 2% (2028), 5% (2030).
● Tracked since February 21, 2026 · last seen April 22, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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