Pamesa Grupo Empresarial has committed to invest €250 million to replace natural gas with hydrogen in its tile manufacturing process.

The groundbreaking approach employs hydrogen, a new type of fuel generated through an advanced electrolysis process that, in a significant leap forward, reduces CO2 emissions to zero.

The announcement accompanied the unveiling of the world’s first emissions-free, natural gas-independent plant, situated in Onda and owned by Pamesa. The company’s commitment to hydrogen was initially realized in the atomizers, with plans to extend this technology to the atomizer turbines, accounting for 60% of the total energy cost, by the end of 2023 and throughout 2024. The goal is an ambitious 250 MWh.

Thursday’s project presentation revealed a €15 million investment, entirely privately funded, as noted by Fernando Roig, President of Pamesa. The transition was facilitated in conjunction with ECombustible Energy, a company Roig invested in last year.

Roig underscored that this energy source is “competitive, clean, local, and independent”. While exact figures were withheld, Roig mentioned that it offers a more cost-effective alternative to natural gas. To put this into perspective, Pamesa’s energy bill last year amounted to a whopping €350 million.

Following this, hydrogen passes through a magnetic reactor that enhances its molecular characteristics, thus producing a fuel with a higher calorific value and improved combustion properties than conventional hydrogen. Afterward, the hydrogen and oxygen are stored separately in ‘lung tanks’ before being transported to a burner where they recombine to form the final hydrogen molecule.

This innovative venture not only illustrates Pamesa’s commitment to sustainable practices but also sets a precedent for other manufacturing companies worldwide. By adopting hydrogen-based technologies, industries can drastically reduce their carbon footprint and contribute substantially to global efforts to combat climate change.