GPS Renewables, a leading global full-stack renewable oil and gas company specializing in climate-positive biofuel solutions, has partnered with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) to develop a first-of-its-kind commercial-scale technology for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from ethanol. The same breakthrough technology can also convert methanol into SAF. This expands its potential applications.
Transforming Ethanol into Jet Fuel with Breakthrough Catalytic Technology
As part of this strategic collaboration, GPS Renewables will invest in scaling up a technology that CSIR-NCL developed using a patented catalyst. This catalyst joins small molecules, such as ethylene and other olefins, in a one-step oligomerization process to form larger hydrocarbons that mimic the properties of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).
While several research groups have demonstrated the ethanol-to-jet fuel process at the laboratory level, commercial-scale production has remained out of reach — until now. With a licensed technology from CSIR-NCL, GPS Renewables will engineer a commercial-scale SAF plant under the project brand “NG SAF.” As part of the agreement, GPS holds exclusive rights to commercialize this technology, marking a major milestone in India’s clean aviation fuel landscape.
Addressing Feedstock Challenges with a Home-Grown Alternative
Currently, producers make most commercial SAF using the HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) pathway, relying on feedstocks such as used cooking oil (UCO) and animal fats. However, in India, the lack of an organized UCO collection system poses major challenges to scaling SAF production through the HEFA route. Additionally, FSSAI restrictions on importing UCO further limit production.
This is where the NG SAF initiative offers a transformative alternative. By using ethanol derived from 2G biomass — a key product of India’s agri-biomass ecosystem — the new technology provides a sustainable, scalable, and indigenous pathway to SAF production. This solution is not only aligned with India’s biofuel strategy but also critical to meeting its aviation sector’s decarbonization goals.
Industry Voices
Gomatam Ravi, CTO, GPS Renewables, expressed, “We are thrilled to partner with CSIR-NCL to build an indigenous and breakthrough SAF technology that can position India as a leader in SAF production. At GPS, we have always prioritized technology that can fast-track India’s transition to clean energy, and this collaboration reflects that commitment. While many have demonstrated the process at lab scale, none have succeeded in producing SAF from ethanol at an industrial scale. With NG SAF, we aim to change that. We are confident that with our expertise in scaling cleantech solutions and CSIR-NCL’s scientific backing, we can deliver an indigenous and industrially viable SAF solution to the world.”
Dr. Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL, highlighted, “One of our core strengths at CSIR-NCL lies in working closely with industry leaders to transform disruptive ideas into commercially deployable solutions. Scientific research, when coupled with industry collaboration, can create promising solutions to address global challenges. This indigenous technology, named NG SAF, based on CSIR-NCL’s patented oligomerization process, can be a game-changer to decarbonize the aviation sector. GPS Renewables’ proven track record and extensive experience in clean fuels make them an ideal partner to take this innovation from the lab to the market.”
Building a World-Class Team to Deliver NG SAF
An elite technical advisory team, featuring some of the most respected names in the energy and chemical sectors—including Dr. Anjan Ray (Former Director, UOP and Indian Institute of Petroleum), Dr. Arvind Lali (Retired Professor, ICT Mumbai), Dr. Ashish Lele (Director, NCL), Gomatam Ravi (Former Head, Shell Technology Center), and Dr. Samir Chikkali (Humboldt Fellow and Faculty, NCL)—backs the NG SAF project.
Additionally, GPS Renewables’ engineering team of 120 experts — with experience at industry leaders such as Petrofac, Petronas, Technip, Toyo, McDermott, Lauren USA, and L&T — applies decades of expertise to develop NG SAF as a commercially viable and globally scalable solution.
“The technical advisory team to the NG SAF project is a thing of dreams,” said Mainak Chakraborty, Co-Founder and CEO, GPS Renewables. “Our combined expertise and shared vision make NG SAF not just a project, but a landmark step in the future of sustainable aviation fuel.”
A Game-Changer for India’s Aviation Decarbonization Journey
The launch of NG SAF positions India at the forefront of indigenous SAF technology development. It addresses long-standing feedstock challenges and paves the way for commercial-scale ethanol-to-jet fuel production. The global aviation industry is intensifying its push toward decarbonization. The GPS-CSIR-NCL collaboration offers a powerful home-grown solution that could redefine sustainable aviation fuel production in India and beyond.
