India, Dec. 16 -- Manufacturing of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will be treated like other products of the petroleum refining industry and be eligible for prior environmental clearance, the Union environment ministry has said.

"The EIA Notification, 2006 mandates prior Environmental Clearance (EC) for the projects/activities covered in the schedule of the Notification. The Ministry has been receiving project proposals for manufacturing of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from biogenic feedstock, for the grant of prior EC," said the ministry's office memorandum dated December 11 has said.

"As the production of SAF from biogenic feedstock involves processes similar to those listed under item 4(a) [Petroleum Refining Industry] of the EIA...