Cement manufacturer SCHWENK and Orcan Energy convert waste heat into clean electricity

Munich and Ulm, 22.10.2024 – SCHWENK, a major German cement manufacturer, has long been focusing on making optimum use of the waste heat generated during the production of cement at its site in Allmendingen, Germany. Now, the previously unused waste heat from the clinker cooler is also being harnessed through various initiatives. In cooperation with Orcan Energy, among others, over 8.5 million kWh of energy and over 13,200 tons of CO2 are saved annually.

Waste heat from SCHWENK’s cement plant is utilized using various innovative technologies. One of these is Orcan Energy's modular ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) system, which converts waste heat into green electricity. The Munich-based company provides five ORC modules at SCHWENK’s Allmendigen site. In addition to the ORC systems, the heat is used to dry fuels from commercial and municipal waste. Some of the waste heat is also used to generate hot water. Together, these technologies make the previously unused waste heat usable.

Implementation of the project has begun, with completion planned for the first quarter of 2025. The ORC plant will be handed over on a turnkey basis, meaning that Orcan Energy is responsible for the heat exchangers, water pipes, steel construction and electrics in addition to the actual waste heat conversion technology. For Orcan, the collaboration with SCHWENK is the fourth cooperation with a cement manufacturer within a few months. This underlines the relevance of Orcan's products for the cement sector to help increase efficiency and decarbonize the production process.

Markus Lintl, Head of Industry & New Business at Orcan Energy, comments: “The project at SCHWENK is technically challenging, as we use the waste heat from the clinker cooler which produces dusty exhaust air. However, this is not a problem for our robust modules and heat exchangers. We are pleased that, together with other solutions, we can contribute to making the previously unused waste heat usable. In this way, we get the maximum out of the available heat and ensure that SCHWENK reduces CO2 emissions and saves money. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.”

Manfred Pirker, Head of Plant Group South at SCHWENK, adds: “As part of an energy-intensive industry, energy efficiency is very important to us. We are constantly working on making our production process even more sustainable and efficient and thus making our contribution to sustainable cement production. Orcan's systems offer us the opportunity to exploit previously untapped potential at a low temperature level. Orcan has already implemented numerous similar projects and can provide corresponding references. It was therefore clear to us that we wanted to utilize the waste heat with Orcan's technology.”

About SCHWENK

SCHWENK was founded in Ulm, Germany, in 1847, making it one of the oldest family-owned companies in the German building materials industry. Under the parent company of SCHWENK Zement GmbH & Co. KG, the company has expanded over several generations to become a multinational group of companies.

The company's core business is divided into the following divisions: cement, sand & gravel, concrete (ready-mixed concrete and mobile concrete), concrete pumps and, since 2023, recycling. What unites the building materials group is not only the basic product cement, but also the passion to produce the products sustainably and with high quality standards. The company employs a total of around 4,500 people and is represented on the international market by a large number of subsidiaries and affiliates.

You can find more information about SCHWENK at: www.schwenk.de/en/