Honeywell, SAF One, and Tata Projects Advance Global SAF Production with Integrated Technology and Engineering
Strategic Collaboration Strengthens Sustainable Fuel Development
Honeywell has formed a strategic partnership with SAF One Energy Management Limited and Tata Projects Limited to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. The collaboration combines Honeywell’s Ecofining™ process technology with Tata Projects’ engineering expertise to support global SAF deployment. This alliance also reinforces the growing role of industrial automation, control systems, and factory automation in next‑generation energy projects.
Ecofining Technology Expands Feedstock Flexibility
Honeywell UOP’s Ecofining technology, developed with Eni S.p.A., converts waste fats, oils, and greases into renewable diesel and SAF. The process uses advanced control systems and optimized PLC‑based automation to maintain consistent quality. Moreover, the technology supports a wide range of feedstocks, allowing producers to adapt to market changes and resource availability.
Scaling SAF Production Through Industrial Automation
SAF One plans to build multiple SAF production units worldwide, including a major facility in India. The project will use used cooking oil (UCO) and other waste oils to produce SAF. As a result, the aviation sector gains a practical pathway to reduce lifecycle emissions. Industrial automation and DCS platforms will play a central role in ensuring stable throughput, safe operations, and efficient plant performance.
Leadership Perspectives on Renewable Fuel Innovation
Honeywell UOP President Rajesh Gattupalli emphasized that Ecofining technology enables scalable renewable fuel production. He noted that the collaboration with SAF One and Tata Projects demonstrates Honeywell’s leadership in SAF technology. In addition, Tata Projects President Rajiv Menon highlighted the importance of early engineering integration and disciplined execution for large‑scale energy projects.
Engineering Integration Enhances Project Efficiency
Honeywell and Tata Projects are jointly optimizing the technology configuration to improve capital efficiency and shorten project timelines. Their integrated approach aligns with SAF One’s global deployment strategy. Therefore, the partnership supports India’s climate goals and contributes to international decarbonization efforts. The project also showcases how factory automation and advanced control systems can streamline complex energy infrastructure.
Industry Commentary and Technical Insight
This collaboration reflects a broader trend in the energy sector: renewable fuel projects increasingly rely on industrial automation to achieve reliability and scale. In my view, the combination of Honeywell’s process technology and Tata Projects’ engineering capabilities creates a strong model for future SAF facilities. Companies that integrate automation early—especially PLC, DCS, and predictive control—gain significant advantages in cost, safety, and operational stability.
Application Scenarios and Solution Use Cases
- SAF Production Plants: Use DCS and PLC systems to control Ecofining reactors and feedstock handling.
- Refinery Modernization: Integrate renewable fuel units into existing refinery automation frameworks.
- Waste‑to‑Fuel Operations: Apply control systems to manage variable feedstock quality.
- Aviation Fuel Supply Chains: Use industrial automation to track SAF blending and certification.
- Sustainability Projects: Deploy advanced analytics to monitor emissions and optimize energy use.
