TruAlt Bioenergy selects Honeywell’s ethanol-to-jet technology for SAF project in India

Honeywell announced Jan. 28 that TruAlt Bioenergy Ltd. will use Honeywell’s ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) process technology to produce 80,000 tons per year (tpy) of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in India.

The agreement marks a major step towards establishing one of India’s first grassroots, dedicated SAF production facilities utilizing ethanol as a feedstock, Honeywell stated.

Honeywell UOP’s ETJ technology enables producers to convert ethanol derived from renewable sources into SAF, offering a cost-effective pathway to reduce carbon emissions of air travel.

The process, according to Honeywell, is easily integrated into existing ethanol production infrastructure and can also produce renewable diesel, helping reduce carbon emissions in the road-transport sector.

“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,” said Ranjit Kulkarni, the vice president and general manager of Honeywell Process Technology in India. “This agreement marks another milestone in Honeywell’s journey to help India build self-reliance in sustainable fuel production.”

Honeywell said the collaboration underscores its alignment with the government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by promoting domestic biofuel production.

Once operational, the project will help reduce CO2 emissions from the rapidly growing aviation sector while also contributing to higher farmer incomes through increased demand for bioethanol.

“Our agreement with Honeywell is a defining step in TruAlt’s journey to help build India’s SAF ecosystem,” said Vijay Nirani, the managing director of TruAlt Bioenergy. “By leveraging Honeywell technology, we aim to create a scalable, ethanol-based SAF pathway that connects India’s farmers directly to the global aviation-decarbonization agenda. Through this project, we are strengthening our conviction that India’s energy transition must be rooted in domestic feedstocks, strong industrial capability and inclusive economic-value creation without external dependence. Additionally, it leverages India’s unique geographic and demographic advantages to progressively position the country as a major global hub for SAF production.”

Honeywell noted that it currently offers solutions across a range of feedstocks to meet the growing demand for renewable fuels, including SAF. 

The company said it also offers modular renewable fuels technology that can be built off-site and quickly installed at refineries, lowering risk and accelerating start up compared to traditional methods.