Topsoe Licenses Kerosene Hydrotreating Technology to Bharat Petroleum for SAF Co-Processing at Mumbai Refinery
Why It MattersCo-processing in existing hydrotreaters gives Indian refiners a lower-capex route to SAF supply, which matters as CORSIA obligations and national blending targets begin to bind international airlines and operators.
Topsoe 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 sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production at BPCL's Mumbai Refinery. 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. SAF will be produced within the existing refinery infrastructure, with no new dedicated SAF production unit. Topsoe says up to 5% renewable feedstock can be co-processed in an existing kerosene hydrotreater without major modifications to the refinery.
The project builds on a relationship between Topsoe and BPCL of roughly two decades. Final investment decision has been reached, the revamp is already underway, and commissioning is expected by the end of 2026. The SAF produced will be supplied to airlines refueling international passenger flights at Indian airports, as India builds its domestic SAF ecosystem ahead of mandatory compliance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in 2027. India has committed to SAF blending targets of 1% for international flights by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030.
Alok Verma, Managing Director Asia Pacific at Topsoe, said the project shows how the technology can give refiners a practical route to begin SAF production without significant modifications to existing infrastructure, while co-processing conventional and renewable feedstocks increases flexibility for fuel producers. Sankar M, Executive Director of BPCL's Mumbai Refinery, said SAF will play a pivotal role in decarbonizing aviation as India works toward Net Zero emissions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2040.
