Topsoe secures technology contract for Bharat Petroleum’s SAF project in India

• Topsoe has signed a licensing agreement to provide its advanced Kerosene Hydrotreating Technology for co-processing to the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) refinery in Mumbai, India, to increase production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
• The facility will co-process 5% renewable feedstock alongside 95% conventional feedstock, enabling SAF production alongside standard kerosene using existing infrastructure.
• Final Investment Decision (FID) has already been taken, with the project expected to commence operations by the end of 2026. The SAF will be supplied to airlines for refueling international flights departing from Indian airports.

Topsoe, a leading global provider of advanced energy transition solutions for producing clean and conventional fuels and chemicals, has signed a licensing agreement with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), an Indian public sector oil and gas company, to provide its Kerosene Hydrotreating Technology for co-processing for SAF production at BPCL’s Mumbai Refinery.

Under the agreement, BPCL will revamp its existing 4,000 metric tons per day Kerosene Hydrotreater Unit to co-process 5% renewable feedstock, in the form of used cooking oil, alongside conventional feedstock. Using Topsoe’s kerosene hydrotreating technology, BPCL will produce SAF within its existing refinery infrastructure, without the need for a new dedicated SAF production unit. The project builds on the two-decade-long relationship between Topsoe and BPCL.

Having achieved final investment decision, the facility revamp is already underway, with commissioning expected by the end of 2026.

The SAF produced will be supplied to airlines refueling international passenger flights at Indian airports, as the nation builds its domestic SAF ecosystem ahead of mandatory compliance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in 2027[1]. India has committed to SAF blending targets of 1% for international flights by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030[2].

Alok Verma, Managing Director Asia Pacific at Topsoe, said:
“India is an important and growing market for sustainable aviation fuel, and we are pleased to support Bharat Petroleum in taking this step towards increasing its SAF production capacity. This project demonstrates how Topsoe’s technology can provide a practical route for refiners to begin SAF production, without significant modifications to existing infrastructure, while at the same time the co-processing of conventional and renewable feedstocks increases flexibility for fuel producers.”

Sankar M, Executive Director, Mumbai Refinery, BPCL, said:
"As India advances its journey towards Net Zero emissions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2040 and accelerates its energy transition, Sustainable Aviation Fuel will play a pivotal role in decarbonising the aviation sector. We are pleased to further strengthen our collaboration with Topsoe, whose proven technology will support BPCL in expanding its SAF production capabilities. This project marks an important step towards building a robust domestic SAF ecosystem, strengthening India’s energy security and enabling a cleaner and more sustainable future for air transport.”

About Kerosene Hydrotreating Technology

Topsoe’s co-processing solution uses kerosene hydrotreating infrastructure to produce SAF by replacing a portion of conventional feedstock with renewable feedstock. Up to 5% renewable feedstock can be co-processed in an existing kerosene hydrotreater, providing a fast-track route to SAF production without major modifications to the refinery. Read more here.

About Topsoe
Topsoe is a leading global provider of advanced energy transition solutions for producing clean and conventional fuels and chemicals.

Built on decades of scientific research and innovation, we are working with customers and partners to drive energy resiliency and to achieve their sustainability goals.

We offer world-leading catalysts and technologies for transforming resources into renewable, low-carbon and conventional fuels and chemicals, as well as ensuring clean air.

We were founded in 1940 and are headquartered in Denmark, with around 2,500 employees serving customers all around the globe. To learn more, visit  www.topsoe.com. 

For more information, please contact:
Ulrik Frøhlke, Media Relations Manager
Phone: +45 27 77 99 68
Mail: ulfr@topsoe.com

[1] CORSIA

[2] Feasibility_Study_India.pdf