Capturing and reusing the vast amounts of heat generated by industry could boost the UK’s competitiveness, according to the Royal Society.
A report published by the society, with support from Heriot-Watt University researchers, has revealed that industrial heating accounts for around 14% of UK emissions – but around half of the energy used in UK industry is lost as waste heat. If this heat was captured and reused rather than released, it could cut emissions, reduce operational costs for businesses and contribute towards net zero.
Professor Mercedes Maroto‑Valer OBE, deputy principal for global sustainability at Heriot‑Watt University, said: “This report shines a light on one of the UK’s most overlooked energy resources. Industrial waste heat is often treated as an inevitable by‑product, yet it represents a vast reservoir of untapped potential.”
Sectors that stand to benefit most from waste heat capture systems include steel, cement, glass and chemicals, where materials are often heated...