Combined with a heat pump and smart controls, their superheated steam drying process saves significant amounts of energy and eliminates the need for natural gas. By using electricity-generated superheated steam, the partners aim to reduce drying energy demand by a factor of 2 to 4, depending on the drying method and temperature level. Superheated steam lowers energy consumption “Industrial drying uses a significant amount of energy. “The heat pump increases the temperature of the low-temperature steam from the drying process so the heat can be reused in the further drying process,” Dalibard explains. Together, these three innovative approaches—steam drying, heat pumps and greater flexibility—reduce energy consumption by up to 80 percent, significantly decarbonizing industrial drying processes.