Global diversified technology and manufacturing leader Honeywell has announced a strategic collaboration with NTPC Green, the renewable energy arm of India's largest power utility NTPC Ltd. The two companies have signed an agreement to jointly explore the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) within India, leveraging Honeywell's advanced eFining technology.

This landmark partnership aims to revolutionize SAF production by utilizing carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from NTPC's power plants as a feedstock, combined with green hydrogen.

DMR Panda, Executive Director (Green Hydrogen) at NTPC Ltd., emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that SAF production forms a "sizeable part" of NTPC Green's ambitious Green Hydrogen Hub in Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh. "We believe that the mandate in the aviation sector for blending SAF in jet fuel will drive many early mover projects in green hydrogen," Panda added, highlighting the anticipated policy push that will accelerate SAF adoption.

Honeywell's proprietary eFining technology is central to this initiative. This cutting-edge process enables the efficient conversion of eMethanol, produced from captured CO2 and green hydrogen, into high-quality SAF. This technology is designed to produce a low-carbon intensity jet fuel with high SAF yield and selectivity, while also minimizing capital expenditure and plot space. It is a "drop-in" replacement fuel, meaning it can be blended with conventional jet fuel without requiring modifications to existing aircraft engines or infrastructure.

Ranjit Kulkarni, Vice President and General Manager, Energy and Sustainability Solutions, Honeywell India, underscored the strategic alignment of this partnership with India's environmental objectives. "Our collaboration with NTPC Green will leverage Honeywell's expertise in SAF solutions to efficiently treat emissions from thermal energy, foster green hydrogen adoption, diversify feedstocks for SAF production and help India's aviation sector meet its long-term environmental goals," Kulkarni stated.

India has set ambitious targets for SAF blending, with plans to mandate a 1% SAF blending target by 2027, rising to 2% by 2028, and a more significant 5% by 2030. These targets align with international frameworks like CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) and India's broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 under the Panchamrit strategy.

The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub, where SAF production will be explored, is being developed as India's first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. This mega-project, with an estimated investment of Rs. 1.85 lakh crore (approximately $22 billion), aims to produce 1,500 tonnes per day (TPD) of green hydrogen and 7,500 TPD of green hydrogen derivatives, including SAF, green methanol, and green urea. Its strategic location near Visakhapatnam, with proximity to seaports, positions it as a potential hub for both domestic consumption and export of green fuels.