The waste heat solution chosen by Lesaffre
It’s Industry Week in France. What do you take away from the Ifop survey results, especially the fact that energy ranks third as a sector of the future according to French engineers (behind aerospace and defense)?
Pierre Cheyron : The fact that energy is seen as one of the most credible sectors to support reindustrialization is a true recognition of our efforts. It reflects the work we have undertaken for several years: the large-scale rollout of low-carbon energy and solutions, electrification of uses, and the rise of renewable heat. We have transformed our businesses and built a clear, visible trajectory. Energy is undoubtedly a sector of the future, and we are proud that the French share this view.
ENGIE has been a strong voice in favor of reindustrialization. What is our track record?
P.C. : We are at the heart of the challenge: industry accounts for nearly 20% of France’s emissions, and 30% of the energy it consumes is still wasted. This thermal loss, known as “waste heat,” is unused energy. Yet in a circular approach, this heat can be recovered and turned into a resource. ENGIE acts directly on these key levers. We design, operate, and maintain more than 160 low-carbon energy systems on industrial sites across Europe, and we aim to reach 250 sites by 2030. With our solutions, we help reduce energy bills by up to 25%, secure energy supply, and decarbonize production.
What concrete solutions does ENGIE offer industrial companies?
P.C. : We cover the entire energy spectrum: waste-heat recovery, renewable heat production, energy efficiency, electrification, biomethane, renewable hydrogen, and local energy infrastructures. These solutions strengthen energy independence, reduce exposure to market volatility, optimize energy recovery, and stabilize costs. In doing so, we enhance industrial competitiveness and reinforce the energy sovereignty of territories.
Can you share an example?
Our recent contract with Lesaffre, a world leader in fermentation based in northern France, is a flagship example. On their historic site, we installed two 19 MW industrial heat pumps to recover heat generated from fermentation processes.
The results are significant:
- 120 GWh of energy produced annually,
- 70% of the site’s heat needs covered,
- 30,000 tons of CO₂ avoided,
- 150,000 m³ of water saved.
This is exactly what we do best: capturing dormant energy, transforming it into a valuable resource, and immediately reducing a site’s carbon footprint.
