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Sustainability
Industrial heat goes green
Image courtesy of ENERGYNEST.
LEONHARD KURZ, one of the global leaders in thin-film technology, has joined forces with thermal storage innovator ENERGYNEST to electrify its production processes and significantly cut emissions. The agreement marks a milestone in industrial decarbonization and demonstrates how renewable energy can efficiently power heat-intensive manufacturing.
By Iryna Mukha, Heat Exchanger World
A blueprint for decarbonizing heat-driven manufacturing Producing the high-performance surface decorations used in everything from smartphones to automotive interiors requires intense process heat— traditionally generated by fossil fuels. At its Sulzbach-Rosenberg facility in Germany, LEONHARD KURZ consumes over 4 GWhth of thermal energy annually for one production line alone. To address this challenge, KURZ is implementing ENERGYNEST’ s turnkey power-to-heat system, which includes a 3 MWe electrical heater and a 12 MWhth ThermalBattery™. This setup will provide over 3 GWhth of clean heat per year, replacing more than 70 % of the line’ s thermal demand and cutting natural gas usage by more than 3.5 GWh. The result: a reduction of over 700 tons of CO 2 emissions annually. KURZ CEO Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder emphasized the strategic significance of the project:“ Sustainability is deeply embedded in our corporate DNA. This solution brings us a major step closer to our goal of CO 2
-neutral production by 2040.”
Smarter energy, greater flexibility Power-to-heat systems like ENERGYNEST’ s convert renewable electricity— whether from solar, wind, or off-peak grid power— into high-temperature thermal energy. When paired with storage, they offer unmatched flexibility and stability for industrial use. At KURZ, more than 40 % of the heat demand will be met directly from stored energy, ensuring roundthe-clock efficiency. The solution also integrates with KURZ’ s existing infrastructure and leverages on-site solar power, enhancing energy independence and cost control.“ By using excess solar energy and storing it efficiently, we’ re reducing our reliance on fossil fuels without compromising production reliability,” said Ralph Hopfensitz, Executive SVP Global Technology at KURZ. This deployment represents ENERGYNEST’ s first commercial delivery of a complete power-to-heat package. CEO Alex Robertson noted,“ This isn’ t just a technical achievement— it’ s a real-world example of how industrial heat can be electrified at scale today.”
Setting the stage for global impact With operations in over 50 countries, LEONHARD KURZ’ s commitment to decarbonization extends far beyond Germany. The successful rollout of this system showcases a scalable and repeatable model for clean industrial heat, aligning with EU initiatives like the European Green Deal and‘ Fit for 55.’ By demonstrating the viability of electrified process heat, KURZ and ENERGYNEST are paving the way for wider adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices. Their collaboration signals a major step forward for industries seeking to reduce emissions without compromising performance— a powerful proof point that the energy transition is no longer a future goal, but a present reality. www. heat-exchanger-world. com Heat Exchanger World July 2025
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