New Delhi: In a historic development for India’s energy and aviation sectors, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IndianOil) has become the first Indian company to receive the prestigious International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) CORSIA for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. The milestone was achieved at IndianOil’s Panipat Refinery, positioning the company—and India—at the forefront of clean aviation fuel innovation.
Certification Ceremony Held in New Delhi
The achievement was formally recognized in a ceremonial event held in New Delhi, where international certifying agency Cotecna handed over the certification to A. S. Sahney, Chairman of IndianOil. The event was attended by prominent government and industry representatives, including:
- Rohit Mathur, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG)
- Maneesh Kumar, Joint Director General, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
Representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), and Cotecna
The joint participation of these bodies highlighted India’s coordinated approach to aligning domestic fuel production and certification with global aviation sustainability standards.
ISCC CORSIA: What It Means
The ISCC CORSIA certification is issued under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, a framework by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It ensures that SAF production meets strict international benchmarks for:
- Lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction
- Traceability of feedstocks
- Environmental and social sustainability
The certification received by IndianOil’s Panipat facility confirms that the SAF produced is compliant with global climate goals and can now be commercially integrated into aviation fuel supply chains.
Pathway to Green Skies
With this certification, Indian airlines can now source certified SAF domestically, allowing for gradual decarbonization of aviation fuel usage in line with India’s net-zero emissions target for 2070.
This development is expected to:
- Reduce the aviation sector’s carbon footprint
- Attract international partnerships for SAF development
- Stimulate R&D and investment in next-generation biofuels
Industry observers believe this step will act as a catalyst for other refineries and energy players to enter the SAF ecosystem.
Government and Industry Collaboration Applauded
Officials from MoP&NG, DGCA, NABCB, MoCA, and Cotecna were commended for their swift collaboration and regulatory alignment that enabled this achievement. Their efforts ensured that India now has a robust framework for SAF certification in place, compliant with international norms.
IndianOil: Leading India’s Energy Transition
With this certification, IndianOil has once again demonstrated its leadership in green energy transition and clean technology adoption. From hydrogen production to electric mobility and now SAF, IndianOil is emerging as a pivotal player in India’s journey toward a sustainable energy future.
About Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
Indian Oil is India’s largest commercial oil enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. With a vast network of refineries, pipelines, and marketing infrastructure, IOCL plays a crucial role in ensuring fuel accessibility and price stability across the nation.
