LEONHARD KURZ: Power-to-heat system with thermal storage to decarbonize industrial manufacturing

ORGANIZATION

Leonhard Kurz

INDUSTRY

Manufacture

SECTOR

Processing

LOCATION(S)

Germany

YEAR(S)

2025

Together with LEONHARD KURZ, an industry pioneer in thin-film technology, ENERGYNEST is planning to implement an innovative power-to-heat solution with thermal storage.

We are taking an important step towards industrial decarbonization and setting new standards for sustainable production processes and a carbon-neutral industry.

Customer

LEONHARD KURZ is a German family business and a world-leading thin-film technology specialist with operations in over 50 countries and 5,800 employees. The company develops and produces decorative and functional layers, including for the printing, packaging, and the plastics industry, for banknotes and ID documents, as well as for the automotive, electronics and medical technology sectors.

As a global technology and innovation leader, LEONHARD KURZ is committed to sustainability as part of being a “Green Leader” and actively promotes resource efficiency and carbon-neutral production.

Electrification of industrial heat is essential for decarbonizing global manufacturing and supply chains. By partnering with LEONHARD KURZ, ENERGYNEST is showcasing a scalable and effective decarbonization strategy that can be replicated worldwide. This agreement is a proof point that industrial energy transition is not just a necessity — it’s happening now.”

Alex Robertson

CEO ENERGYNEST

Requirement

LEONHARD KURZ aims for carbon-neutral production by 2040 and already sources 100% renewable electricity at its German operations. The targeted production line at KURZ’s Sulzbach-Rosenberg facility consumes over 4 GWhth of process heat annually, which is currently still supplied by gas boilers – making it a prime candidate for electrification and emissions reduction.

Facts & Figures

The use of the power-to-heat solution offers numerous advantages. By adopting this system, KURZ will:

Utilize excess solar energy from its on-site PV field
Benefit from a system that delivers over 3 GWhth of clean heat annually, covering more than 70% of the heat demand for one of the site’s production lines. More than 40% of heat demand will be met directly from stored heat, ensuring greater energy efficiency and reliability.
Reduce natural gas consumption by more than 3.5 GWh per year, cutting more than 700 tons of CO2 emissions.

Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder

CEO LEONHARD KURZ

Sustainability is deeply embedded in our corporate DNA, guiding every aspect of our operations and innovation. By integrating ENERGYNEST’s power-to-heat system with thermal storage, we are significantly reducing emissions and taking another major step toward our goal of a fully sustainable production lifecycle and CO₂ neutrality. This project reinforces our commitment of being a ‘Green Leader’ in the industry.”

Zahlen & Fakten

Der Einsatz der Power-to-Heat-Lösung bietet zahlreiche Vorteile. So kann LEONHARD KURZ:

Laden: 34 bar, entwärmt

Entladen: 5 bar, Trockendampf

Durchflussmenge: 1 – 5 Tonnen/Std.

Kapazität: 5 Tonnen

Lebensdauer der Konstruktion: 200 000 Std.

Lade-/Entladezyklen: 462 000

Konstruktionscode: EN 13445 + PED-Richtlinie 2014/68/EU Cat IV, Mod G

Laden:

34 bar, entwärmt

Entladen:

5 bar, Trockendampf

Durchflussmenge:

1 – 5 Tonnen/Std.

Kapazität:

5 Tonnen

Lebensdauer der Konstruktion:

200 000 Std.

Lade-/Entladezyklen:

462 000

Konstruktionscode:

EN 13445 + PED-Richtlinie 2014/68/EU Cat IV, Mod G

Power-to-heat solution

To significantly lower its carbon footprint, KURZ is integrating the turnkey power-to-heat solution, featuring a 3 MWe electrical heaterand a 12 MWhth ThermalBattery™. The system will seamlessly integrate into KURZ’s existing thermal oil infrastructure, providing stable, on-demand heat while drastically reducing reliance on natural gas.

Power-to-heat technology converts renewable electricity, such as solar, wind, or off-peak grid power, into high-temperature heat. When paired with advanced thermal storage, it provides a reliable, flexible, and carbon-free energy source for industrial processes, helping manufacturers reduce their dependence on fossil fuels while maintaining operational efficiency.

The shift to electrified, renewable-based industrial heat is a game changer for manufacturing. By leveraging ENERGYNEST’s advanced thermal storage technology, we ensure a stable, on-demand heat supply that reduces our dependence on fossil fuels while increasing energy efficiency. This is a pivotal innovation that strengthens our long-term energy strategy and accelerates our transition towards CO₂-neutral production.”

Ralph Hopfensitz

Executive Senior Vice President Global Technology bei LEONHARD KURZ

Milestones

Groundbreaking ceremony

Casting process in Rotterdam I

Casting process in Rotterdam II

Casting process in Rotterdam III

Casting process in Rotterdam IV

Assembly Day I

Assembly Day II

Assembly Day III

Groundbreaking ceremony

Groundbreaking ceremony in Sulzbach-Rosenberg

Casting process in Rotterdam I

From steel frame to high-performance heat storage as our ThermalBattery™ modules are cast with HEATCRETE®

Casting process in Rotterdam II

From steel frame to high-performance heat storage as our ThermalBattery™ modules are cast with HEATCRETE®

Casting process in Rotterdam III

From steel frame to high-performance heat storage as our ThermalBattery™ modules are cast with HEATCRETE®

Casting process in Rotterdam IV

From steel frame to high-performance heat storage as our ThermalBattery™ modules are cast with HEATCRETE®

Assembly Day I

Stacking and assembling the ThermalBattery™ modules

Assembly Day II

Stacking and assembling the ThermalBattery™ modules

Assembly Day III

Stacking and assembling the ThermalBattery™ modules

As a family business with a 125-year history, LEONHARD KURZ proves that innovation and commercial success go hand in hand. By demonstrating the practicality of power-to-heat systems, LEONHARD KURZ and ENERGYNEST are paving the way for widespread adoption of industrial electrification in key manufacturing sectors worldwide, with a scalable, repeatable model for decarbonizing industrial heat.