Finnish forest industry and energy technology major Valmet Oyj has announced that its advanced heat recovery technology has been selected by Veolia in Poland for its HeatUp! project to build an innovative Heat Recovery Facility from a fluidized bed boiler at Veolia's EC4 combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Łódź.
The project will improve energy efficiency, increase renewable energy production, and thereby reduce Veolia’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The HeatUp! project, together with investments planned in the near future – such as the construction of a gas-fired unit and a heat accumulator – guarantees a complete phase-out of coal combustion in Łódź from 2031 and the transformation of the entire district heating system towards a reduced environmental footprint. The implementation of HeatUp! is part of Veolia’s strategic GreenUp program, which sets ambitious decarbonization goals and is based on organizational agility, operational excellence, and advanced technological know-how. Under this program, Veolia has developed a comprehensive decarbonization strategy for the Łódź district heating system, of which HeatUp! is an integral part and a clear proof that the chosen direction delivers tangible results. The project also represents an important step towards the long-term goal of climate neutrality in the energy sector, supporting coal phase-out, pollution reduction, and the regeneration of natural resources, said Paweł Orlof, Operations Director and VP of the Management Board of the Veolia Group in Poland.
Heat recovery with flue gas condensing
Valmet will deliver a flue-gas condensing heat-recovery system and an automation solution for the project.
The start-up of the new heat-recovery facility, the value of which has not been disclosed, is scheduled for the third quarter of 2027.
The new system will significantly increase heat production efficiency and sustainability at the Veolia Energia Łódź EC4 biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant.
The solution will capture more than 50 MW of energy from flue gases to the district heating network, strengthening Łódź’s heating system with a sustainable and future-ready solution, and it is calculated to reduce CO2 emissions by over 82,000 tonnes annually.
In all its activities, Veolia strives to use resources efficiently, in line with our motto: Renewing the world’s resources. This principle also applies to investments supporting the decarbonization of the Łódź district heating system. The entire transformation process is carried out with a strong focus on increasing the efficiency of district heat production and distribution. As a result, we reduce our environmental impact while ensuring optimal use of resources and the application of innovative, safe, and available technologies. Thanks to the HeatUp! project, renewable heat production at EC4 will increase by one third without increasing the amount of biomass burned, while CO₂ emissions will be reduced. This investment is a key element of Veolia’s decarbonization process in Łódź, aimed not only at phasing out coal, but also at ensuring long-term security of heat supply for local customers, said Anna Kędziora-Szwagrzak, President of the Management Board of Veolia Energia Łódź.
Valmet’s delivery includes a flue gas condensing plant with three different flue gas condensing stages designed to maximize heat recovery.
The delivery also includes a condensate treatment system to utilize the flue gas condensate for producing raw water for utilization in the plant processes. Valmet will provide an extension of the existing Valmet DNA system at the plant.
This project highlights Valmet’s commitment to creating innovative solutions that deliver real value to our customers. By integrating condensing heat recovery with high-efficiency heat pumps, we enable Veolia to increase efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and provide sustainable district heating for the people of Łódź. Integrating both automation and process technology from a single supplier ensures an optimized lifecycle performance. This order also reinforces Valmet’s position as a trusted partner in heat recovery and sustainable energy solutions, said Lari-Matti Kuvaja, Director, Environmental Solutions, Pulp, Energy and Circularity, Valmet.
