Chillventa 2026 Spotlights Industrial Heat Recovery Trends
Manufacturers showcase high-temperature heat pumps designed to displace boilers in industrial operations.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Manufacturing
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At the Chillventa 2026 exhibition in Nuremberg, industry leaders revealed advanced refrigeration systems that integrate heat recovery technology. These solutions allow manufacturing sites to capture waste heat for industrial processes.
Why it matters
Many industrial sectors, such as food production, require simultaneous cooling and heating. By upgrading and reusing rejected heat, facilities can significantly reduce energy waste and minimize reliance on conventional boilers.
GEA Grasso V XHP units now reach water temperatures of 95°C, while Mayekawa pumps achieve 90°C. Additionally, a pentane-based system in a Belgian sugar factory produces 140°C steam with a 4MW capacity.
The players
GEA
This global engineering group specializes in process technology and equipment for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
Mayekawa
This company is a prominent manufacturer of industrial refrigeration and gas compression technology with a focus on natural refrigerants.
The details
Engineers are now focusing on temperature lift, electricity tariffs, and annual operating profiles to determine if heat recovery is viable for a specific plant. These systems effectively transform standard refrigeration cycles into dual-purpose units that power heating requirements.
Timeline
The Chillventa 2026 exhibition took place in October 2026.
Market Landscape
The push for high-temperature heat pumps represents a major shift toward replacing traditional boilers with reclaimed energy in factory settings. This strategy capitalizes on the growing need for energy-efficient cooling as data-center expansion increases the stakes for heat rejection.
For industrial facility managers, integrating these systems can lead to lower long-term utility costs by reducing reliance on external fuel sources. Companies must balance the initial capital investment against electricity tariffs and their specific annual operating heat profile.
The takeaway
Industrial facilities can often transform their existing refrigeration units into valuable heat sources with the right technical assessment. Site operators should evaluate their process requirements to see if they can capitalize on rejected heat instead of wasting it.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RACA Journal Publication.
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Is now a good time for local industrial facilities to invest in energy-recovery refrigeration systems?
