Honeywell, TruAlt Bioenergy come together to produce SAF in India

Bengaluru based TruAlt Bioenergy Ltd and Honeywell have announced that the two companies would produce 80,000 tons per annum (TPA) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in India together. The collaboration would see the deployment of Honeywell Ethanol-to-Jet (ETJ) process technology to help establish one of India’s first grassroots, dedicated SAF production facilities utilizing ethanol as a feedstock.

Honeywell said that its Ethanol-to-Jet technology enables producers to convert ethanol derived from renewable sources into SAF, offering a cost-effective pathway to reduce carbon emissions of air travel. The process is easily integrated into existing ethanol production infrastructure and can also produce renewable diesel, helping reduce carbon emissions in the road transport sector.

“Our proven Ethanol-to-Jet technology provides a cost-efficient pathway for SAF production and will help TruAlt Bioenergy advance its net-zero ambitions while creating value across the agricultural and energy ecosystems,” said Ranjit Kulkarni, VP & GM – Honeywell Process Technology, India.

Once operational, the project will help reduce CO₂ emissions from the rapidly growing aviation sector while also contributing to higher farmer incomes through increased demand for bioethanol.

Vijay Nirani, Managing Director of TruAlt Bioenergy Limited, said, “By leveraging Honeywell technology, we aim to create a scalable, ethanol-based SAF pathway that connects India’s farmers directly to the global aviation decarbonization agenda. Through this project, we are strengthening our conviction that India’s energy transition must be rooted in domestic feedstocks, strong industrial capability and inclusive economic value creation without external dependence. Additionally, it leverages India’s unique geographic and demographic advantages to progressively position the country as a major global hub for sustainable aviation fuel production.”

Honeywell currently offers solutions across a range of feedstocks to meet the rapidly growing demand for renewable fuels, including SAF. The company also offers modular renewable fuels technology that can be built off-site and quickly installed at refineries, lowering risk and accelerating start up compared to traditional methods.

TruAlt’s Quest for SAF

In December 2024, TruAlt announced plans to build one of the world’s largest SAF projects in India. Subsequently, the company signed MoU with Sumitomo Corporation to develop biofuel projects that would include SAF in the country. TruAlt also signed an agreement with Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to set up SAF production units in the state with an estimated investment of Rs 2,250 crore.