Praj Industries Limited has validated an integrated Ethanol-to-Jet (EtJ) technology for sustainable aviation fuel at its fully integrated Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) demonstration plant at Praj Matrix, the company’s research and development centre in Pune. The demonstration confirms the use of bio-ethanol as a feedstock and marks readiness for commercial deployment under the Alcohol-to-Jet (AtJ) pathway.
The demonstration plant had earlier validated bio-isobutanol as a feedstock and has now successfully demonstrated bio-ethanol under the EtJ route. The company said this establishes technological readiness for both ethanol and isobutanol feedstocks at a single integrated facility, expanding deployment options for SAF producers.
The EtJ process uses Axens’ licensed Jetanol™ technology, which includes dehydration, oligomerisation and hydrogenation steps for converting alcohols into aviation-grade fuel. Axens has licensed the technology to Praj and is providing catalysts and technical support for implementation. The companies said the integrated solution combines Axens’ process technology with Praj’s engineering and project execution capabilities.
“This demonstration confirms the robustness of our integrated solutions across both Alcohol-to-Jet and Ethanol-to-Jet pathways and enables flexible deployment models, including bolt-on solutions to existing assets and greenfield projects,” said Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman of Praj Industries Limited.
Quentin Debuisschert, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Axens, said the validation of the EtJ pathway represents an important step for scaling SAF production. “By combining Praj’s engineering capabilities with Axens’ proven technologies, we are accelerating the deployment of reliable and scalable ethanol-to-jet solutions,” he said.
The company said the demonstrated process enables the production of drop-in sustainable aviation fuel compliant with ASTM D7566 standards and compatible with existing aircraft engines and aviation infrastructure. Praj added that the integrated solution is now ready for commercial deployment to support oil marketing companies, ethanol producers and other stakeholders as SAF mandates evolve.
Praj also referenced its earlier involvement in supplying indigenously produced SAF for India’s first commercial passenger flight operated using SAF-blended aviation turbine fuel, in collaboration with Indian Oil. The company said this experience, combined with the current demonstration, supports its strategy of advancing commercially viable SAF technologies.
Praj Industries Limited is headquartered in Pune, India, and operates in industrial biotechnology, with a portfolio spanning bio-energy solutions, critical process equipment, water and wastewater treatment systems, and sustainable fuels.
