Innomotics Drives Electrification of Industrial Heat Processes with Industrial Heat Pump Solutions

Why It Matters

Innomotics’ drive technology unlocks the economic case for electrifying industrial heat, turning a traditionally fossil‑fuel‑intensive process into a low‑carbon, cost‑effective operation. This accelerates the broader energy transition for heavy industry and urban heating networks.

Key Takeaways

• Innomotics powers BASF's 500,000‑ton steam heat pump with HV drives
• Dutch system supplies 20,000 homes, cuts 30,000 t CO₂ yearly
• French wastewater project delivers 18 MW heat, avoids 41,000 t CO₂
• Drives achieve up to 99.9% availability, five‑year run without shutdowns

Pulse Analysis

Process heat accounts for more than 70 % of industrial energy use, and the majority of that heat still comes from coal, natural gas, or oil. As governments tighten emissions standards and carbon pricing rises, manufacturers are under pressure to replace fossil‑fuel boilers with technologies that can deliver the same temperature range with far lower energy intensity. Industrial heat pumps, which lift low‑grade waste or ambient heat to usable temperatures of up to 150 °C, have emerged as the most efficient solution, offering coefficients of performance (COP) of three to five. Their ability to integrate with renewable electricity makes them a key lever for meeting the Paris Agreement targets.

Innomotics, a global leader in high‑voltage motors and drives, is providing the backbone that allows these pumps to operate reliably at scale. The company’s HV M motors and GH180HC converters power the 500,000‑ton‑per‑year steam pump at BASF, while compact SD motors drive the ammonia‑based units in the Netherlands and France, delivering 27 MW and 18 MW of clean heat respectively. Designed for up to 99.9 % availability, the drives can run five years without scheduled shutdowns, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring continuous heat supply for district‑heating networks and industrial processes.

The deployments highlighted by Innomotics illustrate a rapid shift toward electrified heat that could reshape the industrial energy landscape. By avoiding roughly 100,000 t of CO₂ annually and cutting fuel‑related operating expenses, these projects demonstrate a clear return on investment that is likely to attract further capital, especially as EU and U.S. incentives favor low‑carbon retrofits. As more manufacturers adopt similar solutions, supply‑chain partners that offer robust motor and drive systems will become strategic assets, accelerating the decarbonization roadmap for sectors ranging from chemicals to paper and beyond.