ENERGYNEST and LEONHARD KURZ celebrate the next milestone in industrial decarbonization with thermal energy storage installation in Sulzbach-Rosenberg

LEONHARD KURZ and ENERGYNEST officially broke ground yesterday on their pioneering thermal energy storage project at the KURZ production site in Sulzbach-Rosenberg. The innovative power-to-heat system is designed to decarbonize industrial heat by storing and utilizing renewable electricity for process heating.

The ceremony gathered local stakeholders, partners, and members of the press, highlighting the project’s contribution to the region’s energy transition and its role as a blueprint for more sustainable manufacturing in energy-intensive industries.

As the largest employer in the region, LEONHARD KURZ plays a key role in shaping the local economy and community. This investment underlines the company’s long-term commitment to a more sustainable industrial leadership – both globally and locally.

At a time when many companies are still navigating how to reduce emissions, this project shows that practical, future-ready energy solutions are already being implemented today. It demonstrates that sustainability is not a future goal but a current and actionable priority.

“As a global leader in surface finishing, we are committed to driving sustainability across our operations,” commented Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder, CEO of KURZ.

“This installation is a vital step in reducing our carbon footprint and securing long-term energy resilience.”

“Electrifying high-temperature process heat is a complex challenge, but this system demonstrates that it is both technically and economically viable. Its modular design integrates seamlessly into our existing thermal oil setup and enables us to use renewable electricity as a stable, on-demand heat source, supporting both production continuity and long-term energy resilience,” said Ralph Hopfensitz, Executive Senior Vice President Global Technology at LEONHARD KURZ.

“This project demonstrates that industrial innovation and climate responsibility can go hand in hand,” said Alex Robertson, CEO of ENERGYNEST.

“Together with LEONHARD KURZ, we are setting new standards for flexible, efficient, and responsible energy use in industry.”

The system is scheduled to be commissioned in mid-2026. Once operational, it will store renewable energy as heat, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions and fossil fuel use in KURZ’s production processes.