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India is positioning itself as a potential export hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), utilizing its surplus ethanol capacity and lower carbon intensity compared to Brazil, according to Sameer Sinha, CEO of Triveni Engineering. The first alcohol-to-jet SAF plants could become operational by 2029 if policy clarity is achieved soon.

Currently, India is limited to SAF production from used cooking oil, contributing 1-2% blending. Triveni, among few Indian companies exploring SAF production, produces around 23-24 crore liters of ethanol annually.

India's ethanol surplus, built for E30-E35 blending targets, supports SAF production. The company emphasizes that Indian sugarcane-derived ethanol's lower carbon intensity provides a competitive advantage.

Establishing an SAF facility requires significant investment and policy support. India's total distillery capacity is about 1,900 crore liters, with a surplus of over 450 crore liters of ethanol projected for 2024-25.