Archive · 23 Sep 2025
India's SAF Biomass Feedstock Potential Projected by 2030
Imagine airplanes need a special fuel to fly that doesn't harm the Earth as much.
This is called Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
A new study says India could make a lot of this fuel using things like leftover cooking oil, trash, and crops.
By 2030, India might be able to make 100 million tonnes of the materials needed to make SAF.
The goal is to reduce pollution from airplanes, and India is in a good position to help with this.
The study also highlights that even though the need for SAF is big, the world is not producing enough yet to meet the demand.
More research and development are needed to meet the need.
India could become a major center for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production in South Asia.
The study projects India's biomass feedstock potential for SAF to be 100 million tonnes by 2030.
Currently, global SAF production is only at 2 million tonnes, but the goal is to reach nearly 500 MT by 2050.
Key SAF feedstocks in India include ethanol, waste oils, agricultural and forestry residues, and MSW.
Agricultural residues are expected to be the primary source for SAF feedstock by 2030.
- Who
- International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Worley Consulting
- What
- A study projecting India's potential for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production.
- When
- Study released September 23, 2024.
- Where
- India, with potential to be a significant SAF producer in South Asia.
- Why
- To assess India's potential for SAF production and its role in global decarbonization efforts in the airline industry.
- Feedstock Projection by 2030
- 100 million tonnes
- SAF Requirement by 2050
- 500 MT
- Current SAF Production
- 2 million tonnes (MT)
- Key Feedstocks
- Sugar/starch-based ethanol, waste oils, agricultural residues, MSW
- Primary Feedstock by 2030
- Agricultural Residues (71%)
- Ethanol Production Goal
- Potential to double by 2030