In a move that blends climate ambition with practical innovation, Honeywell and TruAlt Bioenergy have partnered to produce 80,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in India. Using Honeywell’s proven Ethanol to Jet (ETJ) technology, the project aims to reduce aviation emissions, strengthen India’s renewable fuel ecosystem, and create value across agriculture, energy and transport. More than just a business deal, the collaboration signals how global technology and Indian bioenergy expertise can come together to address one of aviation’s toughest challenges.
Author: Aashiya Jain | EQmint | Sustainability News
Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. Aircraft can’t simply switch to batteries or electric power at scale, which makes sustainable aviation fuel one of the most realistic paths to cutting emissions. That’s where the new partnership between Honeywell and TruAlt Bioenergy steps in quietly significant, yet potentially transformative.
The project will deploy Honeywell UOP’s Ethanol-to-Jet technology to convert ethanol into aviation fuel that can be used in existing aircraft without any modification. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce 80,000 tonnes of SAF every year, making it one of India’s earliest large-scale moves into this emerging fuel segment.
What makes this particularly relevant for India is the choice of ethanol as a feedstock. Ethanol is already part of the country’s energy conversation through blending programmes and agricultural linkages. Turning it into jet fuel builds on what India already does well, instead of starting from scratch.
More Than Fuel: A Broader Ecosystem Play
This isn’t just about planes flying greener. The ethanol to jet route opens doors for farmers, rural supply chains and local industries. Increased ethanol demand can support agricultural incomes while strengthening domestic energy security.
TruAlt Bioenergy, known for its focus on renewable fuels and circular economy solutions, sees SAF as a natural extension of its mission. The partnership also allows India to reduce dependence on imported aviation fuel while aligning with global climate commitments.
At the same time, the project reflects how technology and sustainability are no longer separate conversations. They now sit at the same table.
Honeywell’s Perspective
For Honeywell, the collaboration reinforces its long-term commitment to sustainable industrial solutions in India. Speaking about the agreement, Ranjit Kulkarni, Vice President and General Manager at Honeywell Process Technology, India, captured the broader intent behind the project. He said:
“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. This agreement marks another milestone in Honeywell’s journey to help India build self-reliance in sustainable fuel production.”
His words underline a key theme self reliance with sustainability, not sustainability at the cost of economic logic.
Why This Matters Now
India’s aviation sector is growing rapidly, with passenger numbers rising year after year. Growth, however, comes with an environmental cost. Sustainable aviation fuel offers airlines a way to cut emissions without disrupting operations, making it one of the few near term solutions available.
Globally, SAF still accounts for a very small share of jet fuel consumption. Projects like this help bridge the gap between promise and reality. They also position India as a potential future supplier, not just a consumer, in the global SAF market.
Looking Ahead
The Honeywell TruAlt partnership may not grab headlines like a new aircraft order, but its long-term impact could be far greater. By combining proven technology, local feedstocks and a clear sustainability vision, the project sets a template for how clean aviation fuel can be produced at scale in India.
If successful, it won’t just help planes fly cleaner it could help reshape how India thinks about energy, agriculture and industrial growth in a low carbon future.
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