Lummus Technology announced that GPS Renewables has selected its ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) technology for a flagship sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project being developed for National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The facility will be located at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant step in India’s clean aviation fuel journey. The project represents the first commercial license of Lummus’ integrated ETJ technology, signaling a transition from concept to large-scale deployment.
India’s First SAF Plant Using Flue Gas-Derived Ethanol
Once operational, the plant will become India’s first facility capable of producing SAF using ethanol derived from flue gas. This innovative approach not only reduces industrial emissions but also creates a circular pathway for carbon utilization. The integrated ETJ technology offers a cost-efficient solution by lowering capital expenditure (CapEx), operating costs (OpEx), and overall carbon intensity. As a result, it strengthens the business case for SAF adoption in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.
Strategic Milestone for Lummus Technology
Romain Lemoine, Chief Business Officer at Lummus Technology, highlighted the importance of the project. He stated that the initiative marks a major milestone in commercializing ethanol-to-jet technology. According to Lemoine, the collaboration enables a scalable SAF configuration while optimizing costs and emissions. He also emphasized that India’s strong ethanol ecosystem provides an ideal environment to launch and expand such technologies globally.
Rising Demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel in India
India’s aviation industry is expanding at a rapid pace. At the same time, strong policy support is pushing the sector toward low-carbon alternatives. Consequently, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has emerged as a critical solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in aviation—a sector often described as “hard-to-abate.” Ethanol-based SAF, in particular, is gaining traction. This is largely due to India’s well-established ethanol supply chain, abundant feedstock availability, and the success of the government’s Ethanol Blending Program.
GPS Renewables’ Vision for Large-Scale SAF Production
Mainak Chakraborty, Co-founder and CEO of GPS Renewables, emphasized that SAF represents one of the most promising pathways for decarbonizing aviation. However, he acknowledged that commercial-scale production remains limited globally. Through its partnership with Lummus Technology, GPS Renewables aims to bridge this gap. The collaboration focuses on deploying a proven and scalable pathway to produce SAF from ethanol, thereby accelerating India’s transition to clean energy and enabling large-scale production capabilities.
Advanced Technology Integration with Braskem
A key component of the project is the collaboration between Lummus and Braskem for green ethylene production. This partnership enhances the efficiency of bioethanol conversion into aviation fuel. Since 2010, Braskem has successfully operated an ethanol dehydration unit in Brazil using its EtE EverGreen™ technology. Building on this foundation, Lummus has integrated:
Accelerating India’s Clean Aviation Future
Overall, the Pudimadaka SAF project underscores India’s commitment to reducing aviation emissions while leveraging domestic resources. By combining advanced ETJ technology, strong industry partnerships, and supportive policy frameworks, the initiative is set to play a pivotal role in scaling sustainable aviation fuel production. As per the press release, as global aviation moves toward net-zero targets, projects like this position India as a key player in the emerging SAF ecosystem, with the potential to influence both domestic and international markets.
