Europe’s largest chemical cluster is based in Antwerp, Belgium. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges does not want the waste heat generated by the industrial processes of these companies to go to waste, but rather to be reused. To this end, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges works together with Indaver: Antwerp-North Heat Network. In the first phase, launched in February 2024, this heat network transports waste heat from Indaver’s rotary kilns to Boortmalt, the largest malting plant in the world. Boortmalt reuses the heat as a raw material to make malt from barley.
In a second phase, Fluvius will connect a residential heat network to the previously built network. This will provide heat to the social high-rise districts ‘Rozemaai’ and ‘Luchtbal’, among other places. An impressive 3,000 households, 7 schools and various public buildings will receive their heat in the future via a heat network supplied by waste heat from industry. When the pipeline network is fully installed, it will lead to annual CO2 savings of 80,000 tons. This corresponds to the annual CO2 emissions of 12,500 families in Antwerp.
The strong synergy between industrial offtakers with a high baseload and residential offtakers with mainly peak demand in winter period, makes this project economically viable. This balance helps ensure efficient utilization of resources and cost-effectiveness.
The Antwerp North Heat Network is a key element of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ Energy Transition Roadmap, specifically under the pillar of energy efficiency, and it also aligns with the City of Antwerp’s Climate Plan 2030. The Roadmap outlines the port’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and transitioning to sustainable energy sources, while the city’s Climate Plan aims to make Antwerp a climate-neutral and climate-resilient city by 2050. By incorporating surplus industrial heat into the city’s heating solutions, the project not only addresses immediate environmental goals but also sets a precedent for innovative, circular practices in industrial operations. The collaborative efforts between the port, the city, and various industrial stakeholders demonstrate a united front in tackling climate change and fostering sustainable urban development. The integration of the Antwerp North Heat Network into both the port’s and the city’s strategic plans underscores a shared vision for a sustainable and resilient future.