RSB-ISMA Partnership Equips India’s SAF Producers for RSB ICAO CORSIA and ICAO CORSIA Certification Ahead of 2027

(Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) Thirty stakeholders position India as trusted supplier for global sustainable aviation fuel markets through a pioneering, Boeing-supported programme.

As CORSIA’s mandatory compliance approaches in 2027, India’s bio-energy sector faces both enormous opportunity and pressing urgency. With vast sugarcane resources and established ethanol production infrastructure, the country is positioned to become a major sustainable aviation fuel supplier. However, realising this potential requires stakeholders to navigate complex international sustainability certification requirements. To close this knowledge gap, RSB (through RSB Academy), in partnership with ISMA and with Boeing’s support, delivered India’s first comprehensive RSB ICAO CORSIA capacity building workshop, equipping thirty stakeholders with the expertise to transform agricultural potential into certified market access.

The workshop brought together participants from across India’s SAF ecosystem: government officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, research institutes including TERI and Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, SAF producers such as TruAlt and Praj Industries, and sugar mill representatives. Together, they developed expertise in RSB ICAO CORSIA Certification, the internationally recognised standard for sustainable aviation fuel market access, through a combination of ecosystem overview sessions and technical deep-dives.

The initiative lays the foundation for establishing India as a trusted, sustainable SAF supplier to international markets.

ICAO CORSIA’s mandatory compliance phase in 2027 creates both urgency and opportunity for India’s bio-energy sector. The country possesses significant advantages for SAF production: vast sugarcane resources supporting the ethanol-to-jet pathway, established biofuel infrastructure, and government commitment to energy security and climate goals.

Realising this potential, however, requires more than production capacity. It demands internationally recognised sustainability credentials that prove India’s SAF meets the rigorous standards global buyers expect.

“The workshop demonstrated strong cross-sectoral recognition that capacity building is essential for certification success,” said Elena Schmidt, Executive Director at RSB. “By combining ecosystem overviews with technical deep-dives, we’re creating a structured pathway that demystifies certification and builds confidence amongst prospective participants.”

Unlike certification schemes that focus narrowly on greenhouse gas reductions, RSB’s certification framework addresses the full spectrum of environmental, social and economic considerations. For India’s bio-energy sector, these include biodiversity conservation, water stewardship critical in agricultural regions, land rights safeguarding smallholder farmers and local communities, and labour conditions ensuring ethical practices throughout the supply chain.

This holistic approach means RSB-certified operations demonstrate genuine sustainability leadership that meets the expectations of international buyers, investors and civil society organisations who recognise that climate solutions must not create new environmental or social challenges.

“RSB certification provides more than a market credential,” added Schmidt. “It’s a demonstration of verified sustainability performance, backed by reasonable assurance standards and independent technical oversight that ensures audit quality and prevents greenwashing.”

RSB Academy provides capacity building for SAF certification, including RSB ICAO CORSIA, across all markets. The RSB Academy ensures that expertise and support are accessible where they’re needed most, with dedicated focus on emerging markets and pioneering sectors.

RSB Academy goes beyond basic training to build long-term capability amongst SAF producers, sugar mills, and other stakeholders, offering structured capacity building programmes, implementation tools, and ongoing support for achieving RSB ICAO CORSIA certification.

Through the Boeing-sponsored programme in India, the RSB Academy translated their strategic vision for capacity building into real-world implementation, supported by access to trusted ICAO CORSIA certification.

By 2027, ICAO CORSIA compliance becomes mandatory for sustainable aviation fuel suppliers. SAF producers and sugar mills face a clear choice: prepare now or lose access to international aviation fuel markets.

Early preparation provides decisive competitive advantage. Indian SAF producers, sugar mills and feedstock suppliers who invest now in building certification capability will establish themselves as trusted suppliers to international markets, secure premium pricing, and capture market share whilst competitors scramble to meet compliance requirements. The certification process requires time, from implementing sustainability management systems to conducting audits and addressing any gaps identified, making immediate action essential—a journey already started by the thirty stakeholders who participated in this pioneering workshop, giving them a head start that could mean the difference between leading India’s SAF sector in the APAC region or watching from the sidelines.

Whether you’re a SAF producer evaluating certification options, a sugar mill exploring the sustainable aviation fuel value chain, or an industry association supporting member readiness, RSB provides an integrated approach to capacity building and RSB ICAO CORSIA certification.

RSB Academy offers structured capacity building programmes, from introductory courses on sustainability principles to technical training on CORSIA requirements. These resources help organisations across India and the APAC region build the expertise needed for certification readiness.

To discuss capacity building programmes, certification pathways or partnership opportunities, contact RSB Academy at academy@rsb.org or visit rsb.org/contact. READ MORE