Aviation contributes roughly 2–3% of global CO₂ emissions, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel represents the most viable near-term decarbonisation lever, capable of reducing lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
SAF can be produced from an exceptionally wide range of feedstocks: agricultural residues (crop stubble, bagasse), energy crops such as corn grain, municipal solid waste, wastewater treatment sludge, and woody biomass including wood mill waste. This feedstock flexibility is a strategic advantage, allowing countries to leverage locally available waste streams and reduce import dependence for aviation fuel.
Established ASTM-certified pathways include Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ), Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and Power-to-Liquid. Each pathway suits different feedstocks — AtJ is well-suited to corn grain and agricultural residues, while gasification-based Fischer-Tropsch handles woody biomass and sludge effectively. Pathway certification ensures SAF meets safety and blending standards.
India's National Biofuel Policy and the broader energy transition agenda identify SAF as a priority area. Abundant agricultural residue — particularly paddy straw, which is otherwise burnt causing severe air pollution — offers a dual benefit: reducing stubble burning while supplying SAF feedstock. Wastewater sludge from urban treatment plants adds another underutilised resource.
SAF currently costs three to five times more than conventional jet fuel, limiting commercial uptake. Feedstock aggregation, supply-chain logistics, and the capital intensity of conversion facilities remain significant barriers. Blending mandates, viability gap funding, and carbon pricing mechanisms are necessary policy instruments to bridge the cost gap.
All four materials — agricultural residues, corn grain, wastewater sludge, and wood mill waste — qualify as SAF feedstocks. Translating this feedstock abundance into commercial-scale production requires coordinated policy, investment incentives, and robust certification frameworks.
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