Outokumpu and Adven to Double Recovered Waste Heat for Avesta Residents

Outokumpu and Adven are advancing their collaboration to increase the recovery of waste heat from Outokumpu's steel mill in Avesta, Sweden. The initiative aims to double the volume of recovered waste heat supplied to the local district heating network, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and enhancing energy system flexibility.

The new investment, valued at approximately SEK 50 million, will implement technology to capture heat from annealing furnaces in the cold rolling mill, heat that was previously cooled and lost. The objective is to raise the annual volume of recovered waste heat from the current 40 GWh to over 80 GWh. This amount is equivalent to the energy needed for approximately 4,000 homes and covers one-third of Avesta's total heating demand.

"This is a clear example of how industry can contribute to the climate transition," stated Rickard Eriksson, site manager at Outokumpu in Avesta. "Instead of cooling heat away from our process, we can now use it to heat the entire Avesta more sustainably."

Henrik Johansson Casimiro of Adven highlighted that the project will reduce fuel consumption by decreasing the need to burn waste and biofuels. The increased waste heat is projected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 10,000 tons annually. Furthermore, it will reduce the operating hours of boilers at Avesta's heating plant, particularly during summer, optimizing energy usage.

The new waste heat solution is scheduled for commissioning in the spring of 2026. It will bolster Avesta's energy transition by substituting direct fuel input with waste heat and promoting a circular economy through resource efficiency.