GPS Renewables partners with Dubai-based SAF One to develop sustainable aviation fuel projects in India

Photo: SAF One

Dubai-based SAF One announced May 22 that it has partnered with GPS Renewables, India’s premier full-stack technology and engineering company dedicated to clean fuels, for the construction and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects in India.

As a part of this partnership, GPS’s project platform Arya, along with SAF One, will co-develop a facility capable of producing 20 million to 30 million liters (5.3 million to 7.9 million gallons) of SAF per year using lignocellulosic waste feedstock.

“As India moves towards mandating 1 percent to 5 percent blended usage of SAF starting in 2027, we need more collaborative efforts to address the challenges associated with the production of sustainable aviation fuel,” said Mainak Chakraborty, GPS Renewables’ CEO and co-founder. “At GPS Renewables, we are committed to eliminating these bottlenecks and facilitate India’s seamless transition towards clean energy. This collaboration with SAF One is a step in that direction. We look forward to a fruitful partnership to accelerate the production of SAF and help India become a leader in sustainable aviation fuel.”

In addition to its focus on SAF, GPS Renewables has been at the forefront of biofuel technology and project development, spanning compressed biogas (CBG), renewable natural gas (RNG), second-generation ethanol and green hydrogen.

With a track record of establishing over 100 biogas plants, including Asia’s largest RNG plant based on municipal solid waste (MSW) in Indore, GPS Renewables continues to be a leader in the production of clean fuels.  

“The Indian aviation sector is poised for significant growth, and SAF One recognizes the critical need for clean-energy solutions,” said Deepak Munganahalli, the co-founder and director at SAF One. “We are excited to be working with GPS Renewables to advance sustainable aviation fuel projects in India and accelerate its adoption of clean fuels. This collaboration adds to SAF One’s growing pipeline of projects globally and is a cornerstone of our strategy to support and transform the aviation sector. GPS’s extensive experience in green-energy projects in India and SAF One’s expertise in the development of sustainable aviation fuels while capitalizing on its principals’ track record in aviation and circular economy makes for an ideal partnership. ”

EY was the exclusive M&A investment banker representing GPS Renewables on the transaction.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, GPS Renewables is a full-stack biofuels firm offering technology and project solutions for climate-positive biofuel projects.

Starting from captive biogas plants, the company has scaled to set up some of the world’s largest RNG plants.

In 2022, GPS Renewables launched Arya, a wholly owned subsidiary, to commission build-own-operate projects, augmenting its climate-impact ambitions.

SAF One Energy Management Ltd., registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre, is a platform focused on delivering SAF to the global aviation industry.

SAF One’s mission is to provide innovative solutions with the aim to reduce carbon emissions and support the transition to a more sustainable future for aviation.