New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) India is positioning itself as a potential export hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), leveraging surplus ethanol capacity and lower carbon intensity compared to rivals like Brazil, according to Sameer Sinha, CEO (Sugar Business) of Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd.
In an interview with PTI, Sinha outlined India's competitive advantages in the emerging SAF market. The earliest alcohol-to-jet SAF plants could become operational by 2029, he projected, assuming policy clarity emerges by the end of the current financial year. Until then, India will rely on limited SAF production from used cooking oil for 1-2 per cent blending.
"India has very significant potential to emerge as an export hub for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We can start exporting on the East Coast to Southeast Asian countries, where Singapore is a major aviation hub. Similarly, on the West Coast to countries like Dubai," said Sinha.
Triveni is among 2-3 Indian companies exploring SAF production facilities, though no formal board proposals have been submitted yet.
The company produces approximately 23-24 crore litres of ethanol annually, making it one of India's largest producers.
India's key strength lies in substantial ethanol surplus. With ethanol production capacity built for E30-E35 blending targets but current usage at E20, ample feedstock is available for alternative applications.
"The first big benefit is a surplus of ethanol. The capacity is already done," Sinha explained. "India has capacities equivalent to support E30, E35 ethanol supply, which means we are in an oversupply situation."
More significantly, Indian sugarcane-derived ethanol has lower carbon intensity than Brazilian ethanol. "If my CI number is lower than Brazil's, the pollution reduction is far larger if I use Indian ethanol versus Brazilian ethanol," he said.
"If you look at the US, unless it imports Brazilian 2G ethanol, it will largely be maize-driven SAF where carbon intensity will be very high. My carbon intensity of Indian sugarcane ethanol is the lowest. That's a very big advantage we bring to the table."
Setting up an SAF facility with 80 tonne per day capacity would require about Rs 1,400 crore investment and 200 kg per day ethanol supply, Sinha said, and stressed that policy support is essential, including 100 per cent offtake guarantee, viable pricing, viability gap funding and preferential pricing for first movers.
"The earliest plant, from alcohol to jet, can come up in 2029. That big quantum jump will take place in 2029, when people would be available to produce SAF from ethanol," he said.
Five-year SAF demand for international flights is estimated at 50-60 crore litres, requiring 120 crore litres of ethanol -- a fraction of available surplus.
"SAF is not taking away too much ethanol. But the abundance of ethanol shows why India has that comparative advantage," Sinha noted.
With ethanol capacity built for higher blending but current usage at E20, the industry faces idle assets.
