**Honeywell and AM Green Collaborate to Develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel in India**
Honeywell has partnered with AM Green to explore the feasibility of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in India, a move that could position the country as a leader in alternative fuel innovation, according to Ashish Modi, president of Honeywell India. The collaboration aims to manufacture SAF from biofuels such as ethanol, methanol, and green hydrogen, with the goal of reducing India’s reliance on oil imports. This initiative will also support shipping companies in adopting low-emission fuels and assist aviation firms in complying with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) CORSIA guidelines for low-carbon fuel alternatives.
The feasibility studies conducted by Honeywell and AM Green are expected to be completed by mid-2025. SAF is defined as non-conventional aviation fuel produced from alternative feedstocks, including grains, alcohol, and food waste.
In related developments, NTPC Ltd is reportedly in discussions with global airlines to secure SAF supply agreements and plans to invest up to ₹5 trillion in green energy projects, including SAF development, by 2030.
The Honeywell-AM Green partnership is significant as it combines Honeywell’s carbon capture technologies and ethanol-to-jet solutions with AM Green’s expertise in green hydrogen and ethanol production. The demand for SAF is anticipated to grow in the coming decades due to ICAO’s CORSIA initiative, which promotes a globally harmonized system for sustainable aviation fuel usage among airlines.
Currently, 129 countries have joined CORSIA, but India has opted out of the voluntary phase due to concerns over the mandated thresholds. However, a Deloitte report from October 2024 suggests that India has the potential to become a SAF exporter by 2040, with investments of approximately ₹6-7 trillion, thanks to its abundant agricultural feedstock and residues. The development and export of SAF could create over a million jobs and reduce India’s oil import bill by $5-7 billion annually.
