Praj’s SAF demonstration plant opens

Praj’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) demonstration facility at its R&D Centre in Pune was opened on January 20.
Praj has developed a proprietary technology to process agricultural feedstocks for the production of SAF that can be blended with aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
During the inauguration ceremony, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs said: “This facility demonstrating indigenously developed technology for production of SAF is a testament to India’s rising prowess in the global bioeconomy.
“Utilisation of Captive Agri-Resources for the production of biofuels such as SAF is aligned with the government’s goals towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat and will go a long way in helping India achieve its energy self-reliance by 2047.”
Dr Pramod Chaudhari, executive chairman, Praj Industries said: “Inauguration of SAF demonstration facility is yet another milestone in Praj’s pursuit of energy transition through bioeconomy.
“Recently, we collaborated with IOCL and AirAsia India to successfully fly India’s first commercial passenger flight with 1% SAF produced at our bench scale setup that was blended with ATF.
“We truly believe in India’s potential to be a hub for supplying SAF for the Global Aviation Industry and we stand committed to helping build SAF production capacities. We thank Hon. Minister Shri. Hardeep Singh Puri ji for his continued guidance and encouragement.”
It may be noted that around 3% of all GHG emissions worldwide are currently attributable to aviation.
Unless controlled, otherwise the emissions may zoom to as much as 22% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions from the aviation sector by 2050. Harnessing Sustainable Aviation Fuels is regarded as the most promising pathway for helping achieve this target.