Industrial heat pumps are at the forefront of decarbonizing essential sectors like food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals, and textiles. These industries rely on high-temperature steam for critical processes such as drying, sterilization, and boiling. With a significant portion of industrial heat demand falling below 100°C, mature and reliable heat pump technology is already available to facilitate this transition.
Danfoss is your dedicated partner in navigating the shift to sustainable industrial heating systems. For processes requiring higher temperatures, we are pushing performance limits with technologies capable of delivering hot water up to 120°C now, with advancements towards 150°C on the horizon.
A prime example of our technology in action is in the brewery sector. We have successfully partnered with breweries to refurbish older ammonia (NH₃) cooling systems and replace fossil-fuel-based boilers. By integrating hydrocarbon-based industrial heat pumps, these facilities can now generate high-temperature process heat and steam, dramatically reducing their carbon footprint and moving towards a fossil-free operation.
Industrial heat pumps can replace fossil fuels by converting electrical energy input into thermal output.
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As the demand for energy continues to rise and the need to replace fossil fuel boilers becomes more urgent, decarbonizing the industrial process heat sector is a critical priority. Heat pumps, with their proven technology and growing potential, offer a compelling solution.
Danfoss provides the expertise and technology to unlock the full potential of high-temperature heat pumps, enhancing both process heating efficiency and overall industrial heating performance.
Our comprehensive offering supports every stage of your project—from early system design and simulation to collaborative development partnerships—ensuring reliable, high-performance industrial heat pump solutions built for the future.
Key benefits of our solutions for industrial heat pumps:
Explore solutions for NH₃ (ammonia), CO₂, hydrocarbons, and low-GWP refrigerants in our latest brochure.
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We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in industrial heating, with a clear focus on developing solutions for temperatures up to 200°C. Through advanced services and collaborative research, we help our partners accelerate development and secure their investments.
The SuPrHeat Project: pushing temperatures above 100°C
The SuPrHeat (Sustainable Process Heating) project is a cross-disciplinary research and development initiative with 16 partners across Europe. This project has been instrumental in advancing high-temperature heat pump technology.


Key achievement: A 500 kW high-temperature heat pump is now operational at the Danish Technological Institute (DTI). Its key specifications include:
This project demonstrates the viability of high-temperature heat pumps using natural refrigerants for demanding industrial applications.


If you are interested in co-development projects or for an introduction to our solutions, get in touch.

Learn more about the project here.
Energy efficient HVAC systems are a key lever to decarbonize buildings. The energy costs, decarbonization goals, and evolving regulations are hastening the shift to greener energy in commercial and industrial heating and cooling. Hydronic heat pumps are playing a central role in this sustainability-driven journey for heating systems. Danfoss is your trusted partner, offering a comprehensive solution. From heat source to distribution, we provide an extensive portfolio, application expertise, and market-leading simulation and testing capabilities.
With our extensive portfolio, we offer a powerful combination of expertise, product and refrigerant options that will enhance your system designs.
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Ringsted District Heating Company (DHC)—a large district heating utility in Denmark—has reduced its reliance on fossil fuels by 97% after Unicool installed an innovative heat recovery system using Geoclima heat pumps built with Danfoss Turbocor® oil-free compressor technology. With increasingly strict environmental regulations and growing costs, district heat plants are moving away from fossil fuels and turning to renewable energy—and innovative technology such as electric heat pumps and heat recovery—to reduce their environmental impact and maintain affordable heating.
At Frederikshavn District Heating Utility (DHU), a 14 MW gas boiler is utilized during the cold months to ensure sufficient heat supply to the Frederikshavn community. A project was initiated by ME Production, involving Danfoss and heat pump OEM partner Energy Machines, to enhance energy utilization by recovering boiler flue gas heat. This was accomplished by modifying the existing economizer to increase the recovered capacity and boost boiler capacity with the resulting condensing function.
For just over a year, the Van Hulst chick hatchery in Veldhoven (Netherlands) went completely without natural gas. Two-stage heat pumps now supply the heat and cooling needed to maintain the temperature of the chicken eggs. The new solution is climate-friendly, thanks to the use of natural refrigerants and operation with solar electricity – and lowers energy costs by approx. 30,000 euros per year.
Are you interested in co-development projects or seeking an introduction to our industrial heat pump solutions? Our team of experts is ready to help you design and implement the next generation of industrial heating and cooling systems.
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