Cutting emissions by nearly 60% is no longer a future ambition for the food and drink industry. It is already happening.
Industrial heat pumps are delivering tangible results today, with real-world installations achieving emissions reductions of up to 59% in energy-intensive processes such as dairy spray drying for the Arla brand.
This was the key takeaway from the first webinar in the Heat BIG series on large heat pumps, organised by EHPA under the EU-funded EXQUISHEAT project.
The session brought together industry representatives, technology providers and experts, including Sabine Höfel of the Food-Processing Initiative, Elsie Haertjens and Audrey Meurisse of Veolia, Isabel Osterroth of GEA, and Uli Jakob and Michael Strobel of Dr Jakob Energy Research GmbH & Co. KG.
The message was clear. Decarbonisation is no longer driven by climate targets alone. It is increasingly shaped by energy security concerns and volatile fossil fuel markets. In this context, electrification is emerging as a central strategy, with industrial heat pumps playing a key role.
By upgrading waste heat and supplying low-carbon process heat, these systems can be integrated across a wide range of food and beverage applications.
During the webinar, Isabel Osterroth (GEA) presented real-world case studies showing how heat pumps can be successfully integrated into industrial processes.
One example focused on spray drying in the dairy sector, where a high-temperature heat pump was used to recover and upgrade waste heat. The installation achieved up to 59% CO₂ emissions reduction, while maintaining stable production and improving overall efficiency.
A second case from the brewing sector showed how waste heat from refrigeration systems can be reused to supply process heat at around 90°C. This approach significantly reduces gas consumption and demonstrates how existing systems can be adapted to support decarbonisation.
Beyond the technical results, several key lessons emerged. These included the importance of a clear decarbonisation strategy, a holistic understanding of energy use across the site, and careful integration into existing processes.
These examples confirm that the challenge is no longer whether the technology works, but how to implement it effectively.
Integrating heat pumps into existing industrial processes requires careful planning, a strong understanding of site-specific conditions, and solutions that fit within tight production timelines. System design, temperature requirements and refrigerant choices all play a critical role.
At the same time, market conditions will be decisive. Electricity pricing, particularly in relation to gas, and carbon pricing mechanisms such as ETS2 will shape investment decisions. Together, they will determine whether heat pumps are financially attractive compared to gas, and how quickly companies make the switch.
What is becoming increasingly clear is that companies need a structured approach. A clear roadmap, combined with a holistic view of energy use across the site, is essential to identify where heat pumps can deliver the greatest value.
This is where the EXQUISHEAT project aims to support industry. By developing implementation guidelines, standardised solutions and fostering collaboration between industry and technology providers, it seeks to reduce complexity and accelerate uptake.
As the Heat BIG webinar series continues, the focus remains on one goal: turning proven technology into practical, scalable solutions for a low-carbon future.
