LEONHARD KURZ, ENERGYNEST Announce Agreement to Decarbonize Manufacturing
ENERGYNEST, a global provider of thermal storage, has signed a commercial agreement with LEONHARD KURZ, a family business in thin-film technology, to implement an innovative power-to-heat system with thermal storage. This collaboration strengthens industrial decarbonization efforts, showcasing a replicable model for reducing carbon emissions in manufacturing worldwide.
LEONHARD KURZ is a global technology provider with operations in over 50 countries and 5,800 employees, supplying advanced surface decoration solutions across multiple industries. KURZ’s products are widely used in automotive parts, smartphones, laptops, furniture, packaging, books, textiles, labels, and bank cards, as well as in security applications to prevent counterfeiting. Committed to sustainability, the company aims for carbon-neutral production by 2040 and already sources 100% renewable electricity at its German operations.
However, producing these high-tech decorations requires process heat at high temperatures, traditionally supplied by natural gas boilers. The targeted production line at KURZ’s Sulzbach-Rosenberg facility consumes over 4 GWhth of process heat annually, making it a prime candidate for electrification and emissions reduction.
Power-to-heat technology converts renewable electricity, such as solar, wind, or off-peak grid power, into high-temperature heat. When paired with advanced thermal storage, it provides a reliable, flexible, and carbon-free energy source for industrial processes, helping manufacturers reduce their dependence on fossil fuels while maintaining operational efficiency.
To significantly lower its carbon footprint, KURZ is integrating ENERGYNEST’s turnkey power-to-heat solution, featuring a 3 MWe electrical heater and a 12 MWhth ThermalBattery. The system will seamlessly integrate into KURZ’s existing thermal oil infrastructure, providing stable, on-demand heat while drastically reducing reliance on natural gas.
By adopting this system, KURZ will:
- Utilize excess solar energy from its on-site PV field
- Benefit from a system that delivers over 3 GWhth of clean heat annually, covering more than 70% of the heat demand for one of the site’s production lines. More than 40% of heat demand will be met directly from stored heat, ensuring greater energy efficiency and reliability.
- Reduce natural gas consumption by more than 3.5 GWh per year, cutting more than 700 tons of CO2
This agreement marks ENERGYNEST’s first sale of a complete turnkey power-to-heat solution, proving the scalability of thermal storage technology for industrial applications. With LEONHARD KURZ’s global footprint, the success of this system demonstrates the cross-border potential for power-to-heat technology to decarbonize industrial sectors worldwide.
KURZ’s commitment to sustainable innovation aligns with EU-wide decarbonization initiatives, including ‘Fit for 55’ and the European Green Deal, reinforcing the company’s role in driving the industrial energy transition. By demonstrating the practicality of power-to-heat systems, LEONHARD KURZ and ENERGYNEST are paving the way for widespread adoption of industrial electrification in key manufacturing sectors worldwide, with a scalable, repeatable model for decarbonizing industrial heat.
ENERGYNEST CEO, Alex Robertson, said:
“Electrification of industrial heat is essential for decarbonizing global manufacturing and supply chains. By partnering with LEONHARD KURZ, ENERGYNEST is showcasing a scalable and effective decarbonization strategy that can be replicated worldwide. This agreement is a proof point that industrial energy transition is not just a necessity — it’s happening now.”
Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder, CEO of LEONHARD KURZ, said:
“Sustainability is deeply embedded in our corporate DNA, guiding every aspect of our operations and innovation. By integrating ENERGYNEST’s power-to-heat system with thermal storage, we are significantly reducing emissions and taking another major step toward our goal of a fully sustainable production lifecycle and CO₂ neutrality. This project reinforces our commitment of being a ‘Green Leader’ in the industry.”
Ralph Hopfensitz, Executive Senior Vice President Global Technology at LEONHARD KURZ, added:
“The shift to electrified, renewable-based industrial heat is a game changer for manufacturing. By leveraging ENERGYNEST’s advanced thermal storage technology, we ensure a stable, on-demand heat supply that reduces our dependence on fossil fuels while increasing energy efficiency. This is a pivotal innovation that strengthens our long-term energy strategy and accelerates our transition towards CO₂-neutral production.”
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Packaging Impressions. The views expressed within may not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Packaging Impressions.
