Our Sustainable District Heating Project in Germany’s Ruhr Region
What is the TORTE Project?
The Technical Options for Thermal Energy Recovery (TORTE) project captures waste heat from our isophorone production in Herne, converting it into district heating to local homes in Gelsenkirchen. This initiative can supply sustainable energy to up to 1,000 households in the Ruhr region, highlighting Evonik’s dedication to delivering sustainable community energy solutions.
Join us on this journey towards a sustainable tomorrow, as we innovate and lead the way in eco-friendly chemical solutions.
Our Herne site uses a heat pump to feed industrial waste heat from the site’s cooling towers into the district heating network.
Environmental Benefits
At the Herne site, which encompasses 17 production plants over 250,000 square meters, energy is generated in the form of heat as part of the chemical production process. Capturing this waste heat energy has long been a sustainable objective within the global chemical industry, aimed at reducing emissions by reusing energy rather than releasing it unused into the atmosphere. As pioneers in both chemical production and environmental protection, one of the first initiatives under the climate-neutral "Herne Green Deal" was to utilize waste heat sustainably. This involved feeding low-temperature waste heat from cooling towers—previously deemed unusable—into the district heating network.
The innovative TORTE project, in collaboration with local energy supplier Uniper, has seen the installation of a large-scale heat pump at the site. This initiative is estimated to result in annual savings of up to 1,750 tons of CO2 emissions by capturing low-temperature waste heat and redirecting it into the local district heating network. The TORTE project not only promotes local energy sustainability but also exemplifies the effectiveness of recovering industrial waste heat to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Recognition and Awards
Our TORTE project was recognized for its innovation and sustainability, receiving the German Chemical Industry Association’s "Responsible Care Initiative” award at the end of 2023. This recognition underscores our commitment to transforming chemical production into a more sustainable and environmentally friendly process.
We are committed to Sustainability
The project is a vital element of the "Herne Green Deal," an initiative aimed at eliminating fossil fuels from production processes entirely. This long-term vision includes achieving complete independence from fossil-based resources, aligning with overarching sustainability goals and commitment to climate neutrality.
At Evonik, we are committed to leading the way in sustainable practices within the chemical industry. The TORTE project not only benefits our local community but also sets a new standard for sustainable chemical production. We are dedicated to our ongoing journey towards achieving climate neutrality and a greener future for all.