4 MW Heat Pump at Tienen Sugar Factory Produces 140°C Steam for Crystallisation

A 4 MW industrial heat pump now produces 140°C steam for sugar crystallisation at the Tiense Suikerrafinaderij in Tienen, Belgium. Installed in 2025 under the EU-funded SPIRIT project, the unit was showcased during a site visit organised by EHPA on 27 October for Heat Pump Day.

From beet to crystal

The factory processes 600 tonnes of locally grown sugar beet per hour, yielding 600 cubic litres of beet juice. Site manager Bart Aerts noted during the visit that the region has one of the best beet soils in Europe. The beets, delivered by lorry, are washed and cut; unused parts are sold back to farmers as cattle feed. The beet pieces pass through a heat exchanger where hot water extracts sugar into juice with around 18% sugar content. The juice is then gradually concentrated, using as little water as possible, and refined into brown or white sugar. The 140°C steam from the heat pump drives the crystallisation step.

Applicability beyond sugar

Sugar making is one of several industrial processes that operate at temperatures within the reach of today's industrial heat pumps, which can reach up to 200°C. Other suitable sectors include brewing, paper production, textiles, food and drink processing, and chemicals. Around 39% of industrial heat needs could already be met by heat pumps, according to the discussion at the event.

Barriers to wider electrification

The keynote address by MEP Bruno Tobback and a subsequent panel discussion, moderated by EHPA's Jozefien Vanbecelaere, focused on the pace of industrial electrification and the obstacles that remain. Tobback stated that European power grids are at least 15 years behind the curve and that investment is needed to keep pace with electrification technology. He also highlighted high additional costs, such as network charges, which make electricity less competitive compared to gas and dissuade companies and consumers from switching to electric options like heat pumps.

Małgosia Rybak of the Confederation of European Paper Industries drew a parallel with her sector, observing that heat pumps are being installed in paper mills where electricity is cheaper, and stressed the importance of stable policies in encouraging investment. Marlène Siméon of Future Cleantech Architects added that the electricity-to-gas price ratio varies by country, citing Finland and Sweden as positive examples, and pointed to distilleries as another end-user sector where heat pumps are beginning to appear.

Practical integration challenges

Bart Aerts took questions from the audience on the challenges encountered during the heat pump installation. He identified process integration and legal permitting as areas where consulting an expert is particularly important. All panellists and the audience agreed that seeing an integrated industrial heat pump in person is a valuable experience.

Source: EHPA.