From Samosas to Skies: India’s Cooking Oil Revolution Takes Flight 

India’s inaugural sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant, operated by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at its Panipat refinery, is set to begin production by December 2025. This pioneering facility will annually transform 35,000 tonnes of discarded cooking oil collected from major restaurants, hotels, and food companies like Haldiram’s into certified jet fuel. The plant recently secured critical ISCC CORSIA international certification, enabling compliance with global aviation emission rules.

Its initial output is strategically sized to meet India’s planned 1% SAF blending mandate for international flights starting in 2027. While this represents a major leap in decarbonizing aviation using waste resources, challenges remain in efficiently collecting household cooking oil and overcoming SAF’s current high cost—approximately triple conventional jet fuel. Simultaneously, IOC is exploring ethanol-based SAF production and potential exports to meet rising European demand. This project marks a significant step in converting everyday waste into cleaner energy for the skies.

From Samosas to Skies: India’s Cooking Oil Revolution Takes Flight 

India’s kitchens and sweet shops are poised to power its aviation future. By year-end, the country’s first dedicated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant, spearheaded by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), will commence production at its Panipat refinery. This landmark facility harnesses an unlikely resource: discarded cooking oil from restaurants, hotel chains, and iconic snack giants like Haldiram’s. 

Turning Fryer Oil into Jet Fuel 

The process hinges on transformation. Instead of clogging drains or ending up in landfills, vast quantities of used cooking oil – often discarded after single use by commercial kitchens – will be collected by specialized aggregators. IOC’s newly ISCC CORSIA-certified plant will convert this waste into 35,000 tonnes of certified SAF annually. 

This certification is critical. ISCC CORSIA is the global benchmark ensuring the fuel meets strict sustainability criteria under the UN’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). It’s the green light enabling commercial production and use. 

Why SAF Matters for India’s Skies 

SAF isn’t science fiction; it’s operational reality. Chemically similar to conventional jet fuel derived from crude oil, SAF can be blended seamlessly into existing aircraft engines (currently up to 50%). Airlines like IndiGo and Air India have already successfully tested SAF blends on Indian routes. 

The environmental imperative is clear. Aviation is notoriously hard to decarbonize. SAF, produced sustainably, can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to fossil jet fuel. Experts project SAF will deliver over 60% of the global aviation industry’s carbon reduction goals in the coming decades. 

Aiming for 2027: The Blending Mandate 

IOC’s initial production target is strategic. The 35,000-tonne capacity is designed to meet India’s anticipated 1% SAF blending mandate for international flights starting in 2027, as set by the National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC). A 2% target follows in 2028. This aligns with the mandatory phase of CORSIA kicking off globally in 2027, requiring airlines to offset emissions growth beyond 2020 levels. 

“The capacity will be sufficient to meet the country’s 1 per cent SAF blending requirement by 2027,” confirmed IOC Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, highlighting the plant’s national significance. “This certification sets a benchmark for other domestic refiners.” 

Challenges and Opportunities on the Runway 

Despite the promise, hurdles remain: 

• The Collection Conundrum: Sourcing oil from large chains like Haldiram’s is feasible. However, efficiently collecting the immense potential from countless smaller restaurants and households presents a significant logistical challenge needing innovative solutions. 

• The Cost Equation: Currently, SAF costs roughly three times more than conventional jet fuel. This price disparity fuels airline apprehension about potential fare hikes, delaying government plans for SAF blending mandates on domestic flights until at least 2027. 

• Beyond Used Oil: While Panipat starts with used cooking oil, IOC is actively developing other pathways, notably “Alcohol-to-Jet” technology using ethanol, to diversify feedstock and scale up production long-term. 

Beyond Borders: A Global Market Beckons 

With Europe already implementing SAF blending mandates, IOC eyes international opportunities. European airlines flying into India could become early buyers, purchasing SAF locally to meet their obligations. Export potential is also significant as global SAF demand surges. 

The Bigger Picture: Waste, Wings, and a Sustainable Ascent 

India’s first dedicated SAF plant marks more than a technological milestone; it signals a fundamental shift: 

• Circular Economy in Action: It valorizes waste (used cooking oil) into a high-value product, reducing pollution and landfill burden. 

• Energy Security: It diversifies fuel sources away from imported crude. 

• Climate Commitment: It provides a tangible, scalable pathway for one of India’s fastest-growing sectors to reduce its carbon footprint. 

• Industrial Leadership: IOC’s certification paves the way for broader domestic SAF production. 

The road ahead requires tackling collection logistics and driving down costs through scale and innovation. Yet, as used cooking oil from India’s bustling kitchens begins its journey towards powering flights, it embodies a powerful transformation – turning everyday waste into the fuel for a more sustainable future in the skies. The Panipat plant isn’t just refining fuel; it’s refining India’s approach to aviation and environmental responsibility.