Energy EfficiencyeLITHE project ignites the future of Sustainable Ceramic Industry decarbonization
Summary
The eLITHE project, funded by the EU and led by Fundación CIRCE of Spain, strives to decarbonize the ceramic industry through electrifying high-temperature processes like melting and firing. With the aim of establishing a greener manufacturing sector, eLITHE will set up demonstration sites in Spain, Greece, and Germany to prove the viability of electrification in different settings. The initiative is scheduled to last four years and commenced in Zaragoza, Spain. It involves 18 partners from 9 European countries focusing on developing solutions such as induction, resistive, and microwave-assisted heating, as well as hybrid H2 burners. The project also emphasizes enhancing competitiveness with digitalisation, circular materials, and energy storage in alignment with the Net-Zero Industry Act. In the coming months, eLITHE will launch a website and utilize social media to interact with stakeholders and the public.
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eLITHE project ignites the future of Sustainable Ceramic Industry decarbonization
The Horizon Europe project eLITHE kicked off at the beginning of January 2024, marking a significant milestone in the quest for sustainable industrial practices.
An EU-funded project – eLITHE – has been launched to advance the decarbonisation of the ceramic industry. Led by Fundación CIRCE, Spain, it will showcase innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective pathways for electrifying high-temperature thermal processes such as melting, calcination, and firing.
eLITHE, which stands for "Electrification of ceramic industries high temperature heating equipment," aims to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of electrification in the ceramic industry, thereby contributing to a greener manufacturing sector. The project will unfold at three demonstration sites located in Spain, Greece, and Germany, showcasing the larger applicability of the solutions proposed.
The four-year initiative, scheduled to run until December 2027, kicked off in Zaragoza, Spain, on 23-24 January 2024 at the Fundaciòn CIRCE premises.
Roberto Arévalo, Project Coordinator at CIRCE, stated: "2024 has begun with an electrifying partnership to modernise the ceramics industry, reduce CO2 emissions and advance toward 2050 climate neutrality. The eLITHE project will develop novel electric heating solutions to decarbonize the ceramics industry and improve its competitiveness through digitalisation, materials circularity and energy storage, as part of its mission to contribute to the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA)."
The eLITHE consortium, coordinated by CIRCE, brings together 18 partners from 9 European countries, with experts in the ceramics and electrification sectors.
The project will develop robust solutions to achieve fully decarbonized processes for EII being validated at companies like Torrecid (Spain), Mytilineos (Greece) and IZF (Germany). Its enabling technologies will be smart control through digital twins, novel sensors and materials, and high temperature energy storage.
The project will open its website in the next few months and establish a presence on social media platforms to engage with industry stakeholders and the broader public. In the meantime you can find all details on https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101138325 including the detailed objectives, see below
Objectives
eLITHE aims to support decarbonisation of the ceramic industry through the demonstration of sustainable and cost-effective pathways to electrify high temperature thermal processes (i.e. melting, calcination and firing).
This is crucial for the EU to achieve its 2050 target of climate neutrality as energy-intensive industries (EIIs) are responsible for a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions.
eLITHE will demonstrate three different electric furnaces at three pilot sites:
- a frit smelter based electrodes and induction,
- a microwave-powered alumina calciner and
- a hybrid brick firing tunnel kiln for combined use of electricity and hydrogen burning
Besides, eLITHE will
- develop novel material compositions compatible with the electric heating,
- research circular materials for their use high temperature energy storage applications and
- create digital tools to enhance process energy management and enable a safe and sustainable operation.
The project consortium consists of 18 partners from 9 EU countries, with diversified expertise and knowledge in the addressed processes.
The project will have a significant impact on the clean energy transition of EIIs and will lead to a
- reduction of over 97,000 tons of CO2 per year and
- reduction of over 505 GWh/yr of natural gas use for a full-scale unit replaced, contributing to reducing EU dependence on fossil-fuels imports.
In addition to the direct impact on the clean energy transition of the ceramic industry, eLITHE will also have broader societal and economic impacts. The project will contribute to
- the development of a sustainable and circular economy,
- supporting the creation of green jobs and
- improving the competitiveness of European industries.
The project's focus on electrification technologies and renewable energy integration will also contribute to the development of a more resilient and secure energy system for the EU, reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
