Many industrial sectors still depend heavily on fossil fuels to generate the high-temperature heat required for manufacturing processes. Industries such as ceramics, chemicals and advanced materials production rely on energy-intensive thermal operations that remain difficult to electrify using conventional technologies. ELITHE addresses this challenge by developing and demonstrating innovative electrification solutions capable of replacing fossil fuel-based industrial heating with cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.
The project focuses on accelerating industrial decarbonisation through advanced electrified heating technologies designed for demanding industrial environments. By combining process innovation, renewable energy integration and industrial-scale demonstration activities, ELITHE supports Europe’s transition towards cleaner and more resilient manufacturing systems.
What is ELITHE about?
ELITHE focuses on developing electrified high-temperature industrial processes that can significantly reduce emissions from energy-intensive manufacturing sectors.
The project works on replacing fossil fuel-based thermal systems with advanced electrification technologies capable of delivering the temperatures and operational performance required by industrial production processes. Particular attention is given to sectors where direct electrification has traditionally been considered technically difficult or economically challenging.
A core objective of ELITHE is to demonstrate how industrial electrification can become both technically viable and industrially scalable. The project combines technology development with real industrial validation activities, ensuring that proposed solutions can operate effectively under real manufacturing conditions.
ELITHE also explores how electrified industrial processes can better integrate with renewable energy systems and future low-carbon energy infrastructures. By reducing dependence on fossil fuels and improving compatibility with renewable electricity sources, the project contributes to strengthening Europe’s industrial resilience and energy transition objectives.
The project further addresses broader industrial implementation challenges, including process optimisation, operational integration, energy storage considerations and industrial feasibility assessments. These activities help ensure that the developed technologies can support long-term industrial transformation beyond isolated pilot environments.
Demonstration activities within ELITHE focus particularly on ceramics and industrial heat-intensive manufacturing sectors, where reducing process emissions remains a major decarbonisation challenge.
Why ELITHE matters
Industrial heat generation remains one of the largest sources of emissions within Europe’s manufacturing sector. While many industries are progressing towards electrification in other operational areas, high-temperature industrial processes continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels due to technical and operational constraints.
ELITHE contributes to overcoming these barriers by demonstrating practical pathways for industrial electrification in energy-intensive sectors. Through advanced heating technologies and industrial-scale validation, the project supports the development of cleaner manufacturing processes that can operate with lower emissions while maintaining industrial performance and competitiveness.
By accelerating the adoption of electrified industrial heat solutions, ELITHE helps support Europe’s climate neutrality ambitions and the long-term transformation of industrial production systems.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101138325.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
