Volatile energy markets and tightening carbon regulations are leaving manufacturers with a critical challenge: how to secure reliable, affordable energy while meeting sustainability goals. What many don’t know is that the solution might already be inside their facility.
Research by the Royal Society shows that around 50% of the energy used in UK industry is lost as waste heat. For manufacturers, this means valuable resources are slipping away every day. Energy recovery captures this lost energy and puts it back to work, cutting costs, reducing carbon emissions and making operations more resilient. With the right approach, waste heat can be turned into a reliable energy source and promises greater control of a site’s energy future.
Why energy recovery matters
Every day, energy escapes through:
- Ovens and furnaces
- Steam
- Cooling systems rejecting heat
- Wastewater carrying away thermal energy.
What looks like waste is actually a valuable resource waiting to be recovered.
Recovering this energy and reusing it on site reduces reliance on external energy supplies, protecting manufacturers from market volatility and supply chain disruptions – invaluable in an increasingly uncertain energy landscape.
Beyond cost savings
While energy recovery reduces purchasing costs, its strategic value goes further. Understanding how energy moves through the facility reveals opportunities to optimise processes, enhance operational performance and strengthen resilience.
Additionally, as the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK-ETS) regulates approximately 25% of national greenhouse gas output, carbon pricing represents a significant material cost for energy-intensive manufacturers. Implementing energy recovery systems helps reduce these emissions and lowers exposure to associated carbon levies, effectively balancing both fuel and carbon-related risks.
In competitive landscapes, gaining the advantage to better manage costs, improve resilience and meet sustainability targets, all through using energy more effectively, is a critical differentiator in competitive markets.
Take the next step
While the concept of energy recovery is straightforward, determining where to begin can feel overwhelming. Improvements don’t always require a major overhaul, and often, significant value can be unlocked through smaller operational changes or targeted infrastructure tweaks. Veolia supports manufacturers by mapping out energy flows and providing the expertise to understand these systems and identify opportunities. From implementation to ongoing operation and maintenance, we remain a partner throughout the journey, ensuring that energy solutions deliver sustained value.
Your next energy source is already on site. The question is: are you capturing it?
Download Veolia’s one-pager to discover how energy recovery can boost your manufacturing efficiency and resilience.
