European first: Raffinerie Tirlemontoise introduces innovative industrial heat pump

Raffinerie Tirlemontoise is taking a new step in sustainable industrial innovation with the introduction of a unique industrial heat pump, a first in Europe. This groundbreaking technology will be officially put into use on 19 February 2025. With a thermal capacity of 4 megawatts, the system can heat air and water up to 140°C, efficiently reusing industrial waste heat that would otherwise be lost in the production process. This increases the energy efficiency of the Tienen plant and promotes the circular economy by reintegrating the recovered energy into the production process. The heat pump is part of the European SPIRIT project and is an important step in making sugar production more sustainable.

The official reveal of the heat pump will take place on 19 February 2025 in the presence of Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Economy, Innovation and Industry, Foreign Affairs, Digitalisation and Facility Management. From 16:30, guided tours will take place along other sustainability initiatives of Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, such as the state-of-the-art diffusion tower, the modernisation of the boiler house, and the upgrading of biogas to biomethane. The official part will follow the tours, with speeches to mark the commissioning of the heat pump.

The installation of the heat pump reduces the dependency on fossil fuels and increases the energy efficiency of the plant. The system uses vacuum steam from the evaporator (which usually lies between 75°C and 92°C) as a heat source, and generates steam of approximately 138°C. This steam is then used to concentrate sugar in the evaporators. The heat pump covers 5 percent of the total energy requirement of the plant. The technology is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 3,000 to 3,500 tons per year, which significantly reduces the energy costs of the plant. By minimizing energy losses and strengthening the circular economy, the heat pump makes a substantial contribution to the company's sustainability efforts.

Jan Ingels, Director of Factories at Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, emphasises: “The installation of this heat pump is an important step towards our ambition to reduce our CO2 emissions to zero by 2050. The project underlines our commitment to sustainability and is a strategic investment in a green future for our company and our communities.”

The heat pump in Tienen is part of the EU-funded SPIRIT project, which aims to promote industrial heat pumps in Europe. A total of three demonstration projects were selected: Raffinerie Tirlemontoise (food sector, Belgium), a Norwegian shrimp processing company, and a Czech paper mill.

The project was made possible by a collaboration between leading European knowledge and industrial partners. In addition to GEA as the manufacturer of the heat pump, TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), the Danish Technological Institute, and the engineering team of Südzucker also worked together on the development. Thanks to this multidisciplinary collaboration, an innovative solution could be realised that not only supports the energy needs of Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, but also sets an example for other industrial applications in Europe.

Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government, emphasises: "The agro-food sector is one of the strategic sectors of our Flemish economy. Such investments not only strengthen the anchoring of the food industry in Flanders, but also show a clear long-term vision of decarbonisation and energy efficiency of Raffinerie Tirlemontoise, while maintaining the balance between economy and ecology. By investing in advanced technologies such as this high-temperature heat pump, the company is now one of the global pioneers. We in Flanders can be proud of that." 

The heat pump fits perfectly within the EU's sustainability objectives to green the industrial sector and contributes to the climate goals. Raffinerie Tirlemontoise plays a pioneering role in this within the food sector.

The installation of the heat pump is in line with the broader sustainability strategy of Raffinerie Tirlemontoise and is an important part of the CO2 reduction ambitions of the Südzucker group. Sustainability is an essential pillar within the business operations, from agriculture to end customer.

The project with the industrial heat pump is just one of the many steps towards more circular and energy-efficient production. In order to further develop and implement these innovative technologies, collaboration with companies, government and knowledge institutions is crucial. Raffinerie Tirlemontoise and its parent company Südzucker continue to invest in sustainable initiatives and are actively committed to reducing the ecological footprint and strengthening their role as a leader in the food sector.

Hans-Peter Gai, Chief Operating Officer of Südzucker, adds: “Südzucker Group is the first European sugar producer with the emission reduction targets certified by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi). In order to achieve our ambitious goals, we need innovative technologies that enable us to reuse our emissions and strengthen our competitive position. The heat pump in Tienen – the largest in our group to date – is a fantastic example of this.”