Danish technology major Topsoe secures SAF project of BPCL in Mumbai

Global advanced energy transition solutions provider Topsoe has signed a licensing agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), an Indian public sector oil and gas company, to provide its Kerosene Hydrotreating Technology for co-processing for SAF production at BPCL’s Mumbai Refinery.

Under the agreement, BPCL will revamp its existing 4,000 metric tons per day Kerosene Hydrotreater Unit to co-process 5% renewable feedstock, in the form of used cooking oil, alongside conventional feedstock. Using Topsoe’s kerosene hydrotreating technology, BPCL will produce SAF within its existing refinery infrastructure, without the need for a new dedicated SAF production unit. The project builds on the two-decade-long relationship between Topsoe and BPCL.

Having achieved final investment decision, the facility revamp is already underway, with commissioning expected by the end of 2026.

The SAF produced will be supplied to airlines refueling international passenger flights at Indian airports, as the nation builds its domestic SAF ecosystem ahead of mandatory compliance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in 2027. India has committed to SAF blending targets of 1% for international flights by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030.

Alok Verma, MD for Asia Pacific at Topsoe, informed, “project demonstrates how Topsoe’s technology can provide a practical route for refiners to begin SAF production, without significant modifications to existing infrastructure, while at the same time the co-processing of conventional and renewable feedstocks increases flexibility for fuel producers.”

Sankar M, ED – Mumbai Refinery, BPCL, said, “We are pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with Topsoe, whose proven technology will support BPCL in expanding its SAF production capabilities. This project marks an important step towards building a robust domestic SAF ecosystem, strengthening India’s energy security and enabling a cleaner and more sustainable future for air transport.”

The Kerosene Hydrotreating Technology

Topsoe’s co-processing solution uses kerosene hydrotreating infrastructure to produce SAF by replacing a portion of conventional feedstock with renewable feedstock. Up to 5% renewable feedstock can be co-processed in an existing kerosene hydrotreater, providing a fast-track route to SAF production without major modifications to the refinery.