GPS Renewables, a biofuel company headquartered in Bengaluru, has forged a partnership with SAF One, a sustainable aviation fuel solutions provider based in Dubai, to collaborate on the establishment and advancement of sustainable aviation fuel projects within India. Under this alliance, GPS Renewables' project platform, ARYA, will join forces with SAF One to co-create a facility capable of producing 20 to 30 million liters per year of sustainable aviation fuel from lignocellulosic waste feedstock, typically utilized in bioethanol production.

The government has established a roadmap for integrating sustainable aviation fuel into the Indian aviation sector. This plan entails a gradual increase in blending levels, starting with 1% sustainable aviation fuel blending with conventional aviation turbine fuel by 2027, followed by a rise to 2% by 2028 specifically for international flights. “As India moves towards mandating 1-5% blended usage of SAF starting in 2027, we need more collaborative efforts to address the challenges associated with the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel,” said Mainak Chakraborty, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, GPS Renewables.

The Indian aviation industry's embrace of sustainable aviation fuel is imperative to meet its obligations under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. This scheme will be applicable to most aircraft operators, including Indian airlines conducting international operations, starting from 2027. “This collaboration with SAF One is a step in that direction. We look forward to a fruitful partnership to accelerate the production of SAF and help India become a leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel”, added Chakraborty.

Novus Aviation Capital, an aircraft leasing and financing company, is a shareholder of SAF One. Novus has previously engaged in aircraft leasing agreements with IndiGo, India's largest airline. Recently, IndiGo placed an order for 30 widebody Airbus A350 aircraft, with the goal of extending its international operations. Deliveries of these aircraft are scheduled to commence in 2027, coinciding with the implementation of CORSIA obligations.

“SAF One has Novus Aviation Capital as one of the two shareholders. Novus is a reputed, large aircraft leasing and financing platform. So, SAF One has good visibility reg (regarding) tie-ups with airlines”, said an official, who was involved in the agreement process, when asked about the potential Indian airlines to whom the sustainable aviation fuel could be supplied to.

“This collaboration adds to SAF One's growing pipeline of projects globally and is a cornerstone of our strategy to support and transform the aviation sector. GPS’ extensive experience in green energy projects in India and SAF One’s expertise in the development of sustainable aviation fuels while capitalizing on its principals’ track record in aviation and circular economy makes for an ideal partnership”, said Deepak Munganahalli, Co-Founder and Director at SAF One.