Topsoe, a global provider of energy transition solutions for clean and conventional fuels and chemicals, has signed a licensing agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) to deploy its kerosene hydrotreating technology for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production at BPCL’s Mumbai Refinery. The project will enable BPCL to integrate renewable feedstock into its existing refining operations, supporting the development of India’s domestic SAF production capabilities.
Under the agreement, BPCL will revamp its existing 4,000 metric ton per day Kerosene Hydrotreater Unit to co-process 5 per cent renewable feedstock, in the form of used cooking oil, alongside conventional feedstock. Topsoe’s technology will allow BPCL to produce SAF using its existing refinery infrastructure, eliminating the need to establish a separate, dedicated SAF production unit. The project builds on the two companies’ collaboration spanning more than two decades.
Following the achievement of the final investment decision, work on the facility revamp is already underway, with commissioning expected by the end of 2026.
The SAF produced at the facility will be supplied to airlines refuelling international passenger flights at Indian airports. The initiative comes as India prepares to expand its domestic SAF ecosystem ahead of the mandatory compliance requirements associated 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 per cent by 2028 and 5 per cent by 2030.
Alok Verma, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Topsoe, said: “India is an important and growing market for sustainable aviation fuel, and we are pleased to support Bharat Petroleum in taking this step towards increasing its SAF production capacity. This 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, Executive Director, Mumbai Refinery, BPCL, said: “As India advances its journey towards Net Zero emissions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2040 and accelerates its energy transition, Sustainable Aviation Fuel will play a pivotal role in decarbonising the aviation sector. 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 project represents an approach to scaling up SAF production by adapting existing refinery assets for renewable feedstock processing. By combining conventional and renewable feedstocks within an established refining setup, BPCL aims to expand its SAF capabilities while supporting the aviation sector’s efforts to reduce emissions and advance the transition towards lower-carbon fuels.