Tata Projects Limited, a prominent technology-driven engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firm within the Tata Group, has been officially chosen by SAF One Energy Management Limited as its EPC partner for a groundbreaking Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project in the Middle East. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step forward in the global push toward sustainable aviation and carbon reduction.
Project Overview and Environmental Impact
The project will utilize Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) technology to transform used cooking oil (UCO) and various waste oils and fats into Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This innovative approach is designed to play a crucial role in regional and global decarbonization efforts by producing low-carbon aviation fuel, thereby reducing reliance on conventional fossil-based jet fuels. The initiative not only supports the transition to greener aviation but also represents a key milestone in SAF One's broader strategy to develop a portfolio of SAF facilities worldwide, including planned projects in India.
Tata Projects' Role and Execution Strategy
As the EPC partner, Tata Projects will deliver an integrated and scalable project solution, leveraging its expertise in standardized designs, advanced construction methodologies, and optimized modular execution strategies. This approach aims to enhance schedule predictability, improve capital efficiency, and facilitate the rapid replication of SAF facilities across multiple geographic regions. The project configuration incorporates globally proven process technologies for feedstock pre-treatment and hydroprocessing, ensuring flexibility with various waste-based feedstocks and adherence to ASTM D7566 international SAF specifications.
Tata Projects' responsibilities encompass overall project integration, constructability-driven design development, and execution readiness for what will be the first-of-its-kind SAF facility in the Middle East region. This partnership underscores Tata Projects' commitment to supporting energy transition projects with scalable delivery models that balance sustainability goals with execution certainty.
Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration
Rajiv Menon, President & COO - Energy & Industrial Business at Tata Projects Limited, commented on the development, stating, "Sustainable Aviation Fuel represents one of the most immediate and scalable levers for aviation decarbonization. Our collaboration with SAF One reflects a shared focus on creating repeatable, efficient, and execution-ready SAF infrastructure. By combining standardized design philosophies with modular construction and disciplined project delivery, we aim to enable faster deployment of SAF projects globally."
Deepak Munganahalli, co-founder and CEO of SAF One, added, "We are pleased to partner with Tata Projects for this SAF project. Their experience in delivering complex energy infrastructure under a fixed-price, lump sum turnkey EPC model, together with a strong focus on safety, constructability, and standardization, aligns well with SAF One's 'design once, build many' approach as we progress a scalable pipeline of SAF projects across regions."
Future Prospects and Broader Implications
This partnership reinforces Tata Projects' position as a preferred partner for energy transition initiatives, offering clients innovative solutions that merge environmental sustainability with operational reliability. Additionally, Tata Projects and SAF One are actively advancing discussions for a Sustainable Aviation Fuel project in India, highlighting their shared dedication to building resilient and future-ready SAF infrastructure in high-growth aviation markets. This move signals a growing trend in the aviation industry's shift toward sustainable alternatives, with India poised to play a pivotal role in this global transformation.
