Indian Oil Panipat Refinery Uses Cooking Oil for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
That leftover cooking oil from your last plate of samosas could soon power your next flight. In a breakthrough for India’s clean-energy ambitions, the Panipat refinery has become the first in the country to receive certification to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil. Officials say the move signals a decisive step towards reducing aviation’s carbon footprint while aligning with global climate commitments.
The certification, granted after coordination between key ministries and regulators, confirms the refinery meets UN-backed CORSIA standards to cut global aviation emissions. SAF, which can be blended with conventional jet fuel, offers a cleaner-burning alternative capable of slashing lifecycle emissions and helping airlines meet tightening sustainability targets.
Government discussions are already under way to mandate SAF blending for international flights departing India. The proposal would require airlines to use at least 1% SAF from 2027, rising to 2% in the following years. While not yet approved for regular domestic commercial flights, test runs since 2018 , using biofuel derived from sources like jatropha, have proven the viability of such fuels in Indian skies.
The Panipat facility’s innovation lies in converting a waste stream , used edible oil, into high-value, low-carbon aviation fuel. This not only addresses the issue of safe disposal for cooking oil but also paves the way for a circular economy model, creating new economic opportunities in the collection and processing supply chain. Industry experts note, however, that scaling up production remains the key challenge, as global SAF output is still a fraction of overall aviation fuel demand.
If capacity expands as planned, the refinery’s achievement could mark the start of a greener era for Indian aviation, reducing dependence on fossil-based imports and setting an example for other sectors to adopt waste-to-fuel solutions. From the frying pan to the flight deck, Panipat may well be charting the flightpath to a cleaner future for the skies.
