Implementation of a smart RETROfitting framework in the process industry towards its operation with variable, biobased and circular FEEDstock

ended

RETROFEED main objective is to enable the use of an increasingly variable, bio-based and circular feedstock in process industries through the retrofitting of core equipment and the implementation of an advanced monitoring and control system, and providing support to the plant operators by means of a DSS covering the production chain. This approach will be demonstrated in five resource and energy intensive sectors (ceramic, cement, aluminium, steel, and agrochemical) with the potential to reach in average an increase of 22% in resource efficiency and 19% in energy efficiency, with a consequent reduction in costs and GHG emissions of 9.3 M€ and 135 kton CO2 respectively. Furthermore, the project aims to develop a methodology to support retrofitting in resource and energy intensive industries that will be complemented by a decision support system able to perform a diagnosis of the impact in the process of different retrofitting solutions so plant managers and operators can decide on the most suitable retrofitting action for their companies. This decision support system will remain operative after the modification of the process so it can ease the operation of the process under the increased variability of feedstock by analysing a set of key indicators defined within RETROFEED over the production chain for this purpose. RETROFEED consortium comprises strong industrial participation; 9 large companies, including 5 of them as final users, and 4 SMEs as technology providers, working with experienced RTOs and supporting entities. The private investment associated to RETROFEED is over 7M€ along the execution of the project. Lastly, RETROFEED is expected not only to enable technological advances in the technologies and demonstrators involved but will also contribute to the development of new standards, regulations, training programmes, and adaptation and certification of industrial processes thus facilitating the replication of the project results within the EU industry.