India, Nov. 13 -- All India Distillers' Association (AIDA) deputy director general Bharati Balaji says that India's existing ethanol capacity could give it a head start in producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), but warns of a holdback in investment due to unpredictable feedstock policies and the absence of long-term purchase guarantees.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Balaji discusses the changes needed in the proposed SAF policy, why producers need 10-15-year offtake agreements, and how the country's ethanol industry can help meet its aviation fuel targets.

Here is the full interview:

India's proposed blending trajectory, from 1% in 2027 to 5% by 2030, and the decision to count only domestically produced SAF are positive ste...