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Kyoto Group in April: Solving the net-zero puzzle

Written by Kyoto Group | 01.mai.2026 08:30:00

The missing link in the Industrial energy transition

In this month's edition, we reflect on an exhilarating week in Germany. Our discussions at Hannover Messe 2026 confirmed a major shift as energy storage becomes a strategic necessity for energy security. In a world of unpredictable markets, industry is prioritizing long-term operational stability above all else.

Inside this issue, we explore the tech solving this stability puzzle. From BASF’s Substance podcast, and real-world examples from KALL Ingredients Heatcube, we examine how molten salt storage turns intermittent renewables into a reliable, competitive advantage for industry. And we also examine the path to decarbonizing the dairy sector. 

 

Storing sunshine in salt: The future of industrial heat

What does it take to decarbonize one of the most overlooked parts of the energy system? In the latest episode of the Substance podcast and a new feature article, BASF dives into how molten salt is solving the "missing piece" of the net-zero puzzle: industrial process heat.

 

Why molten salt?

As explored in the article "Storing Sunshine in Salt," molten salt is one of the most efficient and sustainable mediums for thermal energy storage.

  • High Density: It stores vast amounts of heat in a compact footprint.
  • Longevity: Unlike chemical batteries, salt doesn't degrade over tens of thousands of cycles.
  • Steam on Demand: It provides the high-temperature, high-pressure steam that heavy industry requires to stay operational 24/7.
 
Spotlight on KALL Ingredients

As a prime example of how this can be done, BASF turns the focus to the KALL Ingredients corn-processing plant. By utilizing Heatcube, the facility is demonstrating that industry can move away from traditional gas-fired boilers and toward a circular, electrified future, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 8,000 tons annually.

 
Listen: The deep dive

From the mechanics of the salt melt to the future of the grid, this episode of the Substance podcast covers the full journey of industrial electrification.

Listen to the full podcast episode here

 

Hannover Messe 2026 wrap-up

We’re back from an incredible week at Hannover Messe, where the energy transition was front and center. From our stand in Hall 12, we joined thousands of innovators to showcase how thermal energy storage is rewriting the rules for industrial heat.

 

The highlights
  • On stage: Our Commercial Director, Lars Martinussen, delivered a insightful session at the Solution Lab on how Heatcube converts volatile renewable power into a secure, low-cost supply of industrial steam.
  • On Stage: Our Chief Commercial Officer, Tim de Haas, participated in VDMA's discussion panel at the Energy Solution lab to explore the heat transition in industry.
  • The hub: At our stand, we hosted valuable conversations with leaders from various industries, all looking to decouple their production from fossil fuel volatility.

 

Key takeaways:
  • From ambition to action: While the 40,000 industrial sites still burning fossil fuels have clear green goals, many struggle to take the next step. We showcased, through our KALL Ingredients case study, that Heat-as-a-Service is the missing link.
  • Energy security: Discussions at the event confirmed that global instability is the new wake-up call. With the war in Ukraine and ongoing geopolitical turbulence, security of supply has become the primary driver for the energy transition. Industry is now turning to thermal storage as a vital shield to decouple production from volatile, high-risk gas markets.

Missed us at the event?

You don’t have to wait until 2027 to start your decarbonization journey. Our team is ready to show you how Heatcube can stabilize your energy costs today.

Connect with our commercial experts

 

The thermal gap: Decarbonising the dairy industry

The European dairy sector is defined by massive scale and high thermal demand. As one of the most energy-intensive branches of the food industry, it currently faces a significant decarbonisation hurdle:

  • Massive throughput: EU dairies process approximately 150 million tonnes of milk annually, according to Eurostat milk product statistics.
  • The 70% factor: Research from Future Cleantech Architects (FCA) reveals that thermal processes like pasteurisation and spray drying account for 70% of a facility’s total energy input.
  • Carbon footprint: This reliance on natural gas for heat emits roughly 20 million tonnes of CO2 each year across the European sector.

 

A sector in transition

The industry is already reacting to these pressures. Rabobank’s 2026 market analysis shows a strategic surge in investment toward high-value, heat-intensive products like whey protein and specialized powders. However, as producers phase out fossil fuels, they face a new energy security risk. Relying on a volatile gas market or an intermittent grid for processes requiring temperatures up to 200°C leaves production vulnerable to price spikes.

To bridge this gap, large industry players, like Arla Foods, are turning to Thermal Energy Storage (TES). This transition is the key to securing a sustainable dairy future while protecting margins in an unpredictable energy landscape.

Explore the data in the FCA case study

 

Next month: Decarbonizing pharmaceutical manufacturing

Can an industry dedicated to human health afford to remain one of the planet's largest emitters? In our next issue, we look behind the sterile walls of pharmaceutical production to address a hidden environmental hurdle.

Today, pharmaceutical and healthcare products account for 5% of all global emissions, with a staggering 60% of a facility’s direct emissions coming from the gas-fired boilers used to create high-purity steam.

Next month, we’ll look at how the recently launched Clean Heat Program is paving the way for thermal energy storage, allowing manufacturers to secure the reliable 'green steam' they need without risking the precision or safety of their life-saving products.

Stay tuned!