India's SAF sector could become a new market for US corn

Summary

The US grain industry sees India's sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sector as a potential new market for American corn, according to UkrAgroConsult. The concept involves using corn-based ethanol in alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology to produce aviation fuel. The US industry is also promoting imported corn for ethanol aimed at higher road-fuel blending levels such as E85, while India's existing E20 program would continue to rely mainly on domestic feedstocks. US representatives expect India's future ethanol demand could eventually exceed its domestic feedstock capacity, and see India's existing ethanol distillery network as a foundation for SAF production — though technology investment, certification and long-term offtake agreements would be needed. Access for US corn to the Indian market remains sensitive due to protections for domestic farmers and restrictions on GM products, so the US industry is pushing to focus the discussion on ethanol's lifecycle carbon footprint rather than feedstock origin alone. Hindustan Times separately reported that US companies are also exploring investments in SAF facilities in India using ATJ technology.