IIP to Ink Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), based in Dehradun, is gearing up to formalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus, a leading European global aerospace corporation. The collaboration aims to undertake the development, testing, and certification of indigenous Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in India, aligning with global industry efforts to achieve ambitious net-zero decarbonization goals by 2050.

The impending MoU is slated to be announced at Wings India 2024 in Hyderabad on Thursday. Dr. Harender Singh Bhist, Director of IIP, disclosed that the institute has successfully developed hydroprocessed esters and fatty acid (HEFA) based sustainable aviation fuel derived from waste, such as used edible oil. These fuels have undergone testing in commercial flights and Indian Air Force aircraft.

In an exclusive statement to BusinessLine, Dr. Bhist confirmed the upcoming MoU with Airbus, highlighting that the collaboration would leverage Airbus's aviation expertise for testing and market access. The sustainable aviation fuel, blended at a rate of ten percent with conventional aviation fuel, serves as a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has mandated the use of SAF for airlines starting in 2027.

The Director emphasized that while IIP has pioneered the alternative fuel, Airbus's involvement will contribute essential capabilities to establish the necessary ecosystem for executing the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) of the ICAO.

The Civil Aviation Ministry in India is actively working on gradually implementing SAF by incrementally increasing the blending percentage in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to curb carbon emissions. According to a late 2023 announcement by the petroleum ministry, from 2027, there will be a 1 percent indicative blending for international flights, escalating to a 2 percent blending target the following year. This initiative aligns with the National Policy on Bio Fuels 2018, aiming to achieve the de-carbonization goals of the aviation sector.

Dr. Bhist noted that the HEFA development is currently in the trial stage, with plans for future commercialization of SAF. In pursuit of this goal, the institute will explore potential partnerships.

HBL