Kingspan inks deal for new carbon reduction technology
Dutch firm RIFT has developed its proprietary Iron Fuel Technology. The system sees iron powder combusted to generate high temperature heat without direct CO2 emissions. The resulting iron oxide is regenerated using hydrogen.
RIFT has now signed a deal with Kingspan Unidek that will cover the delivery of an iron fuel boiler and long-term iron fuel supply. It marks the first time that the fossil-free fuel will be sold and used under a commercial agreement in industry.
RIFT's iron fuel boiler will be installed at Kingspan Unidek's facility in Gemert, the Netherlands.
The partnership is part of Kingspan's broader Planet Passionate sustainability programme, aimed at reducing carbon emissions throughout its operations
"This isn't just a contract, it's a statement," said Mark Verhagen, CEO at RIFT. "Together with Kingspan Unidek, we're proving that clean industrial heat through iron fuel is ready for the market. This is the first time we are commercially delivering the technology, and the start of a much bigger shift."
The company already has an operational 1 MW boiler system in Helmond in the Netherlands, supplying hot water to 500 households.
RIFT heats water for the heat grid by burning iron powder. This creates a large flame that heats a boiler. No greenhouse gases are released in this process. The only residual product is rust, which can be converted back into iron powder
RIFT is backed by public and private partners including PGGM, Invest-NL, and Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Fellows. By 2023, RIFT had secured €11m in funding.
The company aims to expand capacity, scale deployments across Europe, and develop international projects.
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