Bayer & Iberdrola: A World First in Total Decarbonisation
Bayer is making history after the ratification by Iberdrola of the total decarbonisation of its plant in Asturias, Spain.
Bayer's centre in La Felguera, which concentrates 100% of Bayer's acetylsalicylic acid production, will become the first in its sector in Spain to achieve total decarbonisation and one of the first in the world.
The agreement represents the first heat purchase agreement of its kind in Spain and will feature an innovative molten salt thermal storage system, developed and patented by Inerco.
The €17m (US$18.6m) project, supported by the Ministry of Industry through the grant ‘PERTE for industrial decarbonisation’, is expected to be completed in June 2026.
A world-leading project
The project is a key element of Bayer and Iberdrola’s alliance to transform the industrial model of the Asturian basin.
It is one of the largest in the world to date, with 15MW of renewable energy.
Iberdrola will install the innovative thermal storage system, designed by the Spanish company Inerco, next to the Bayer plant.
It will transform the 100% renewable electricity from an adjacent self-consumption facility and from other renewable plants into the steam that Bayer needs to carry out its activity.
State-of-the-art technology
The technology will allow Bayer to decarbonise its plant while reducing the impact of fossil fuel volatility on its business.
It is also expected to reduce CO2 emissions and pollution, increase the consumption of local renewable energy and contribute to the improvement of the national trade balance.
A joint press release says: “The project makes it possible to take advantage of Spain's renewable generation potential and increase industrial competitiveness.”
Mario Ruiz-Tagle, CEO of Iberdrola Spain, says: "This is the first major steam electrification project in Spain and one of the largest in the world, which represents the great commitment of Bayer and Iberdrola to Asturias.
“It uses thermal storage technology, available technology that allows up to 50% of the heat consumed by industry in Spain to be decarbonised.
“Iberdrola and Bayer are pioneers with this project, which will be the first of many in Spain and in the world."
The promise of constant progress
Pedro Marín, Executive Chairman of Inerco, says: "The trust of Iberdrola and Bayer in Inerco, for the design and implementation of our technology in this important project, is a great satisfaction and an important recognition, which will surely lead us to replicate systems of these characteristics in many industrial facilities in the future."
Jorge Julián Álvarez, director of Bayer's Asturian centre, says: "The agreement we are now announcing is a success not only for our centre, but also for the production and industrial model of the area, which, thanks to innovation, is reinforced to continue developing in the future in a more sustainable way.
“Our continued commitment to investment and the development of alliances for the search for innovative solutions is the key that has allowed us to grow and that consolidates our commitment to Asturias and constant progress."
100% renewable electrical energy and thermal energy
The Bayer factory in La Felguera began its journey in the mining basin region thanks to the industrial activity in the area, taking advantage of coal mining waste.
The collaboration with Iberdrola has been crucial in promoting Bayer's decarbonisation.
The two companies signed an agreement in 2020 for the supply of 100% renewable electricity at all centres in Spain through a long-term power purchase agreement.
The latest project will create more than 30 jobs during the construction and start-up process.
From the heat generation facility, it will also be possible to provide renewable heat to the planned Asturian Public Health centralised laundry complex, to be located on land of the site of the former Lada thermal power plant.
Thermal storage system explained
In a thermal storage system, renewable electricity is transformed into the heat needed by industry.
In addition, the system stores energy, allowing the factory to consume energy produced at peak renewable generation hours when needed without having to adapt to daylight hours, resulting in greater flexibility and operational savings.
The installation contributes to a greater deployment of renewables and to reducing energy discharges into the grid.
Industries that need low- and medium-temperature heat account for 50% of the industry's fossil fuel consumption.
The next auctions for high-efficiency cogeneration propose incorporating this technology to electrify heat and contribute to the competitiveness of these industries.
Spain is a world leader in molten salt technology, developed for solar thermal plants.
Explore the latest edition of Sustainability Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Sustainability Magazine is a BizClik brand
