In an era where the decarbonisation of industry is critical to achieving Europe’s climate and energy objectives, a new collaborative initiative has been launched: the HEATSHIFT Cluster: Shifting Industry Towards Clean Heating. 

This cluster brings together a group of ambitious EU-funded projects: JOULIA, CARBOWAVE, METAWAVE, FLEXHYON, and ModHEATech, all of which are pioneering innovative pathways to electrify and decarbonise industrial heating processes. While each project addresses specific technological challenges in distinct sectors, they are united by a common vision: transforming how heat is generated and used in European industries, with a strong focus on energy efficiency, renewables integration, and digital innovation. 

Why a cluster? 

The creation of the HEATSHIFT Cluster is driven by the recognition that collaboration strengthens impact. By joining forces, these projects aim to: 

  • Amplify their collective voice in the European research and innovation landscape. 
  • Coordinate dissemination efforts through joint events, webinars, social media campaigns, and cross-project communication. 
  • Exchange knowledge and lessons learned across different industrial contexts and technology platforms. 
  • Identify common areas of research, thus maximising impact. 
  • Explore synergies in stakeholder engagement, business models, and policy outreach. 

Moreover, the cluster remains open to other projects with similar ambitions in the field of industrial heating and electrification. By expanding the network, HEATSHIFT aims to foster a broader, more cohesive movement toward sustainable industrial heat systems. 

Meet the Founding Projects 

  • JOULIA: Demonstrates flexible, contactless heating technologies (induction and microwaves) for rubber and plastics manufacturing, paving the way for electrification in mid-temperature industries. 
  • CARBOWAVE: Reduces the energy demand and emissions of carbon fibre production by introducing plasma and microwave heating, transforming a strategically important material sector. 
  • METAWAVE: Integrates advanced microwave-based systems into high-temperature industries such as ceramics, asphalt, and aluminium, with strong emphasis on process efficiency and digital twin optimisation. 
  • FLEXHYON: Develops hybrid electrified heating technologies (microwaves, ultrasound, heat pumps) tailored to drying and extraction processes in biomass, feed, and ceramics, with a focus on flexibility and on-demand production. 
  • ModHEATech: Targets the decarbonisation of the steel sector through hybrid heating furnaces that recover energy and combine renewable-based induction with traditional gas combustion. 

Together, the HEATSHIFT Cluster represents a critical mass of European innovation dedicated to transforming industrial heat systems, a domain that remains one of the most challenging to decarbonise. Through collaboration and shared visibility, the cluster will enhance the policy relevance, market uptake, and societal impact of each project’s results. 

As the clean industrial heating landscape evolves, HEATSHIFT will serve as a platform for dialogue, innovation, and acceleration, ensuring that Europe’s industrial sectors can transition to a climate-neutral future. 

If your project or organisation shares this vision, we invite you to join the HEATSHIFT Cluster. (Click here)