The ceramic industry is one of Europe’s most energy-intensive sectors, relying heavily on high-temperature processes such as melting, calcination and firing. These operations are traditionally powered by fossil fuels, mainly natural gas, which makes the sector responsible for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions and highly exposed to energy price volatility and supply risks. Decarbonising these processes is therefore a priority for the European Union to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and to strengthen the resilience of energy-intensive industries.
The eLITHE project addresses this challenge by demonstrating sustainable and cost-effective electrification pathways for high-temperature heating in ceramics. It combines three pilot technologies covering the most representative processes of the sector:
a frit smelter powered by induction and electrodes,
a microwave-based alumina calciner, and
a hybrid tunnel kiln for brick firing that integrates electricity and hydrogen combustion.
These pilots will validate innovative furnace concepts and prove that electricity, increasingly generated from renewable sources, can replace fossil fuels in industrial high-temperature operations. In parallel, the project develops novel material compositions compatible with electric heating, investigates circular waste materials for high-temperature thermal energy storage, and delivers digitalisation tools such as digital twins and decision support systems to ensure efficient, flexible and safe operation.
By combining advanced technologies, new materials, and digital intelligence, eLITHE creates a comprehensive pathway to decarbonise the ceramic sector. The project contributes to several EU policy goals, including the European Green Deal, the REPowerEU plan and the Strategic Energy Technology Plan. The expected impact is significant: each full-scale unit could reduce over 97,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and avoid more than 505 GWh of natural gas consumption per year, directly reducing Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel imports.
Beyond environmental gains, eLITHE also supports the transition to a circular and resilient economy, fosters industrial competitiveness, and contributes to the creation of green jobs. Social and economic dimensions are addressed through engagement with industry stakeholders, consideration of workforce skills and safety, and dissemination of best practices. The project also assesses the flexibility and integration of electrified processes within future energy systems, enabling industry to act as an active player in renewable-based electricity markets.
Overall, eLITHE demonstrates that the electrification of high-temperature processes in ceramics is technically feasible, economically attractive and environmentally necessary. Its results will serve as a blueprint for wider replication in other energy-intensive industries, supporting Europe’s leadership in clean industrial technologies.
