To cut crude imports reliance, government nod for blending ethanol in ATF

NEW DELHI: The government has allowed blending of ethanol and other synthetic hydrocarbons in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to cut emissions and reduce reliance on crude imports, officials said Wednesday.

The petroleum and natural gas ministry has issued a notification amending the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001, widening the definition of jet fuel to include blends with synthetic hydrocarbons and aligning enforcement provisions with updated criminal procedures.Under the amendment, ATF is now defined as a mixture of hydrocarbons conforming to IS 1571 specifications or blends with synthetic hydrocarbons under IS 17081 standards, enabling the use of newer fuel variants.Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is produced from renewable feedstocks such as waste oils and fats, sugar and cereals, municipal solid waste, wood and agricultural residues, or CO2, and is blended with ATF to cut emissions. India plans to mandate SAF blending with conventional ATF to reduce carbon emissions from the aviation sector.