India's SAF Adoption Progress Steadies Despite Challenges Ahead

A comprehensive report by Boeing and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) has found that India is making steady progress towards adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The report assesses India's readiness for SAF adoption, providing an evidence-based roadmap for the country's next phase of development. According to the report, India's overall SAF readiness stands at 52%, indicating moderate but advancing readiness as the country moves from early-stage development towards wider SAF adoption.

India has set blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030, and is committed to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) from 2027. Under a 5% blending scenario in 2030, SAF demand covering both domestic and international aviation is projected at approximately 720 million liters (about 0.6 million tons per year), compared with an estimated production potential of 14-33 million tons per year.

Boeing's President for India & South Asia, Salil Gupte, said that India has a crucial role in enabling sustainable aviation and pursuing a deliberate path to SAF adoption is key. RSB's Executive Director, Bettina Paschke, added that India's Sustainable Aviation Fuel opportunity is substantial and the assessment provides stakeholders with an evidence base from which to act.