DETHERMIK | Decarbonising industrial heating processes

Region:

Flanders

Financed by

High-temperature heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and waste heat recovery for more sustainable industrial heating

Industrial heating processes consume large amounts of energy and still rely heavily on fossil fuels. Grid capacity constraints and investment costs make the transition to cleaner alternatives more challenging. DETHERMIK explores how industrial SMEs can decarbonise their heating processes using high-temperature heat pumps (HTHP), thermal energy storage (TES) and waste heat recovery. The project focuses particularly on surface treatment processes.

Target group

DETHERMIK explores decarbonisation opportunities with companies and stakeholders active in:

Surface treatment, including powder coating, wet painting, galvanising, and heat treatment
Manufacturing processes using industrial ovens, drying systems, or heated baths, such as those in the building materials and foundry industries
Machine building, particularly machines with integrated heating processes
Energy consultancy and system integration for industrial heating projects
Technology development and supply, including industrial heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and other industrial decarbonisation solutions

Context

Many industrial heating processes still depend on natural gas and other fossil fuels. Switching to electric heating involves more than simply changing energy sources. Companies must consider temperature requirements, available grid capacity, investment costs, and production continuity.

HTHP and TES offer opportunities to reduce fossil fuel consumption and make better use of available renewable and waste energy. However, many SMEs lack the information needed to assess their technical and economic feasibility.

Documented examples for specific industrial processes are also limited. This makes it difficult for companies to compare technologies and make informed investment decisions.

Objectives & results

DETHERMIK aims to:

Identify opportunities to decarbonise industrial heating processes
Assess the technical and economic feasibility of high-temperature heat pumps (HTHP), thermal energy storage (TES), waste heat recovery, and other innovative heating technologies
Evaluate which technologies are suitable for specific industrial processes and operating conditions
Provide manufacturers and technology providers with practical information to support their own investment decisions
Share knowledge to help Flemish companies explore energy-efficient, low-carbon heating solutions

Key expected results

Technology factsheets covering performance, operating conditions, and costs
Process factsheets describing typical industrial heating requirements
Evaluation tools to compare technical feasibility, investment, operational costs, and potential savings
Two detailed feasibility studies for heating processes in the surface treatment industry
A casebook featuring practical applications and lessons learned
A step-by-step guide to selecting and implementing suitable heating technologies
An overview of relevant technology providers and research organisations

Approach

The partners will visit 15 industrial end users to analyse their heating processes, including temperature requirements, energy demand, operating conditions, and available waste heat. Based on these findings, the project will identify six representative process categories for further evaluation.

Want to explore alternatives to fossil fuel-based heating in your production processes?

Join the project's steering group or take part in information sessions, company visits, and networking events. Connect with other industrial stakeholders and stay informed about the project's findings.

Contact our expert Tania Drissen