Fraunhofer Tests Heat Pump at Paper Mill

October 29, 2026

Source: E & M powernews

In Weißenborn, Saxony, a Fraunhofer Institute is testing a high-temperature heat pump. It is designed to use waste heat to generate steam and help conserve natural gas.

A high-temperature heat pump at the paper mill of specialty paper manufacturer Felix Schoeller in Weißenborn, Saxony, demonstrates how industrial waste heat can be used for steam generation. The demonstration plant is part of the European research project “PUSH2Heat,” in which the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies (IEG) is also participating.

The two-stage heat pump, with a thermal output of 1.2 MW, utilizes waste heat at temperatures between 30 and 70 degrees Celsius. As the Fraunhofer researchers explain in a press release, it raises the temperature to around 120 degrees Celsius. In doing so, the heat pump overcomes a temperature difference of up to 90 Kelvin. According to the Fraunhofer IEG, the technology enables stable operation even with fluctuating heat sources. The process heat recovered is intended to replace natural gas at the plant.

Initial Results from 300 Operating Hours

According to Fraunhofer, during the first approximately 300 operating hours of 2026, the system achieved an average steam output of 700 kW. This corresponds to approximately 1.2 metric tons of steam per hour at a pressure of about 2.3 bar. Fraunhofer IEG cites an annual coefficient of performance (COP) of 2.30 for the plant’s efficiency. This value describes the ratio between the useful heat provided and the electricity consumed. Accordingly, the heat pump theoretically delivers 2.3 kWh of heat for every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed. The additional energy comes from industrial waste heat. Further testing will show how efficiency develops over a full year of operation.

A model calculation by the partners involved in the research project estimates the savings potential at up to 600 metric tons of CO2 for 4,000 to 5,000 operating hours per year. This assumes that the system replaces the previous steam generation using natural gas. In terms of process heat, the participating partners estimate approximately 100 kilograms less CO2 per MWh compared to generation using natural gas. These are calculated values, not yet verified annual savings.

Integration into Existing Processes

Fraunhofer IEG is providing scientific support for the heat pump trial in Weißenborn and has developed a measurement and monitoring concept for this purpose. In addition, the researchers are investigating how the heat pump can be integrated into the existing paper production process in terms of energy, hydraulics, and control technology. The results are expected to provide insights for the use of comparable systems in other industrial facilities.

“Industrial companies need solutions that combine climate protection, security of supply, and competitiveness,” says “PUSH2Heat” project manager Reuven Paitazoglou of Fraunhofer IEG. The demonstration plant in Weißenborn is laying the groundwork for the future use of this technology in other industrial applications—such as in the chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries.

The demonstration phase began in September 2026 under real production conditions. Testing at full load, accompanied by monitoring and optimization, is planned for a full year of operation. This will demonstrate how reliably and efficiently the heat pump operates under varying conditions.

Author: Davina Spohn