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EHEAT · Project

Electric Microwave Heating Retrofits for Heavy Industry Decarbonization

manufacturingPilotedTRL 7

Imagine replacing a giant gas burner with a high-powered microwave system that heats air instead of food. This system plugs into existing industrial furnaces to heat materials up to 1,250 °C without needing to rebuild the whole factory. It uses smart sensors and digital copies of the furnace to make sure the heat is perfectly even.

By the numbers
90–95%
CO2-reduction vs. fossil baselines
1,250 °C
Maximum electrification temperature
The business problem

What needed solving

Energy-intensive industries struggle to decarbonize high-temperature heat processes because replacing existing furnaces is too expensive and disruptive.

The solution

What was built

A retrofit electrification platform consisting of microwave modules, flue gas recirculation hardware, MW-compatible refractories, and digital twin control systems.

Audience

Who needs this

Aluminium smelting plantsSteel heat-treatment facilitiesCement manufacturers using calcined clayIndustrial furnace OEMs
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aluminium
enterprise
Target: Aluminium smelters and casting plants

If you are a smelter dealing with high carbon emissions during melting and holding — this project developed a microwave heating platform that targets 90–95% CO2-reduction compared to fossil fuels.

Cement
enterprise
Target: Cement and building materials manufacturers

If you are a producer dealing with the energy-heavy process of calcined-clay production — this project developed a retrofit-ready electrification system that enables near-zero-emission heat.

Steel
any
Target: Steel processing and heat-treatment facilities

If you are a steel plant dealing with gas dependence for reheating and heat-treatment — this project developed MW modules and compatible refractories that reach temperatures up to 1,250 °C.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What is the estimated cost or price of the system?

Based on available project data, specific pricing is not provided, but the project will deliver Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) evidence packs to determine economic viability.

Can this be used at an industrial scale?

Yes, the project targets TRL7 with demonstrators operating at production-relevant throughputs in aluminium, cement, and steel sectors.

How is the IP and licensing handled?

Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not listed, but the project focuses on creating a scalable blueprint and standardised interfaces for replication.

Does this help with environmental regulations?

Yes, it aligns with the Net-Zero Industry Act and Industrial Emissions framework by reducing gas dependence and lowering NOₓ and particulates.

When will the technology be ready for deployment?

The project period runs from 2026-06-01 to 2030-05-31, aiming for industrial demonstrations by the end of the term.

Consortium

Who built it

The consortium is heavily industry-driven, with 10 industrial partners (67% of the group) and 7 SMEs across 6 countries. This high ratio of commercial players suggests a strong focus on market application and practical deployment rather than pure academic research.

How to reach the team

Contact Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation in Spain

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Contact us to identify potential licensing opportunities for microwave heating modules.

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