Context:
The Uttar Pradesh government is set to introduce the Uttar Pradesh Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Manufacturing Promotion Policy-2025, which is expected to be the first policy of its kind in the country.
More on News:
- The policy was introduced by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh during an Invest UP event aimed at engaging industry leaders and investors.
- The SAF policy emphasizes direct procurement of biomass and grain-based feedstock (e.g., sugarcane bagasse, rice husk, wheat straw, surplus grains), offering new income streams and better price realization for farmers.
- The initiative is expected to simultaneously drive Uttar Pradesh’s green energy transition and enhance rural livelihoods.
- Over 18 companies have expressed interest in setting up SAF units in the state, with investment proposals exceeding ₹3,000 crore.
- Uttar Pradesh offers India’s largest network of air, road, and rail infrastructure, including five international airports—making it a strong logistics and distribution hub.
- An Expression of Interest (EOI) was earlier floated to invite global SAF technology providers and clean energy innovators to participate in the state’s SAF ecosystem.
About SAF
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)is is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduces emissions from air transportation.
- It is derived from renewable materials like agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, and forestry residues.
- It can be blended with with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in varying proportions, typically between 10% and 50% depending on the type of feedstock and production method used.
- Production
- Hydroprocessing: It is produced by converting fats, oils, and greases into hydrocarbons appropriate for jet fuel.
- Gasification and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis: It is produced by transforming solid biomass into synthetic gas, subsequently converted into liquid fuel.
- Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ): It is produced by converting sugars from biomass or waste into alcohols, further upgrading it into jet fuel.
- Pyrolysis: It is produced by thermally decomposing biomass into bio-oil, further refined into SAF.
- Benefits:
- Engine and infrastructure compatibility: SAF blended with conventional Jet A fuel can be used seamlessly in existing aircraft and infrastructure.
- Lower emissions: When used as 100% SAF, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 94%, depending on the feedstock and production technology.
- Greater flexibility: SAF serves as a direct substitute for conventional jet fuel, offering a variety of products derived from different feedstocks and production methods.