Decarbonising industrial heat: between sobriety, electrification, and new vectors
At the latest MIX.E / Produrable event in Lyon last April, Angélique Maillot, manager at Blunomy discussed one of industry's toughest decarbonisation challenges: industrial heat, which accounts for a third to half of all industrial CO2 emissions.
Industrial heat is the "next frontier" of the energy transition, accounting for nearly half of all industrial CO2 emissions. As the European Green Deal mandates a rapid acceleration of decarbonisation by 2030, manufacturers face a dual challenge: meeting stringent environmental targets while ensuring long-term business viability.
Drawing on insights from the MIX.E and Produrable event this article explores how decarbonisation has shifted from an ESG niche to a core business strategy. In an era of price volatility, transitioning to local, decarbonised energy is now a critical lever for energy sovereignty and operational resilience
A key takeaway is the absence of a "silver bullet." Moving beyond the binary "gas vs. electricity" debate, Blunomy advocates for a "bouquet" of sequential actions. This hybrid approach begins with energy sobriety and waste heat recovery, followed by the strategic integration of electrification and renewable vectors such as solar thermal or biomass.
While financial and infrastructure barriers (such as high CAPEX requirements and grid connection delays) remain significant, the article highlights practical enablers to catalyse action. These include targeted public subsidies, Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs), and innovative "Heat-as-a-Service" models that allow manufacturers to de-risk their transition by outsourcing infrastructure investment.
The feasibility of this approach is proven in our featured case study, where a production site achieved a 50% reduction in Scope 1 emissions. By utilising a three-step roadmap, comprising multi-criteria mapping, prioritisation of recovery, and dynamic financial modeling, the project secured state aid and ensured long-term economic robustness.
Ultimately, a successful transition requires manufacturers to rethink their energy needs at the source before changing the carrier. By conducting objective diagnostics and embracing a diversified technology portfolio, industrial players can turn the climate transition into a lasting competitive advantage.
Get in touch with the author: Angélique Maillot
