Air India, AirAsia India, and Vistara Ener Into Agreement with CSIR-IIP
The Tata Group's airline companies, Air India, AirAsia India, and Vistara (Tata SIA Airlines), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Petroleum to collaborate on the research, development, and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).
The MoU's primary objective is to examine Single Reactor HEFA Technology for Drop-in Liquid Sustainable Aviation and Automotive Fuel (DILSAAF). The MOU also states the signatories' intention to collaborate in various areas related to sustainable aviation.
The use of petroleum-derived fuel for aviation is significant, with greenhouse gas and carbon emissions being major worldwide concerns.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions from its operations by 2050, under the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
According to IATA, the aviation industry's net-zero carbon emissions goal is to reduce emissions as much as possible at the source, with the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) accounting for roughly 65% of the reduction in emissions, along with innovative new propulsion technologies and other efficiency improvements.
Sustainable aviation fuel is created from renewable resources such as forestry and agricultural waste, as well as used cooking oil. It can be combined with conventional jet fuel to cut emissions. It is a 'drop-in' fuel, which means it can be introduced with no modifications to the aircraft.
The CSIR - Indian Institute of Petroleum is headquartered in Dehradun and is dedicated to hydrocarbon research and development. Its mission is to produce competitive and sustainable technology and products to fulfil the needs of the ever-expanding energy industry, as well as to create capacity and competency in emerging energy fields such as bio, hydrogen, and solar energy, as well as their innovative combination.
The Tata Sustainability Group (TSG) functions as a Center of Excellence and a nodal resource for Tata group companies on sustainability. Since its inception in 2014, it has worked with Tata group companies to integrate sustainability into their business strategy and transition them to a low-carbon future.
TSG is coordinating the collaboration on Sustainable Aviation Fuels in partnership with Tata Airline Companies and CSIR-IIP. The Tata Group recently unveiled a transformative vision for sustainability, intending to be Net Zero by 2045.
According to the GlobeScan Sustainability Leaders Survey, 2022, the Tata Group is the top Sustainability Leader in the Asia Pacific and the only Asian company to emerge among the top 15 corporates globally.
Source: Air India
