The industrial sector currently accounts for approximately 29 per cent of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. The urgency for these hard-to-abate industries - namely, iron and steel, cement, chemicals, mining, and oil and gas - to adopt more sustainable practices, such as the use of alternative fuels, has never been greater.
Practical routes for emissions reduction are already available with energy efficiency and electrification playing a contributing role. Another major opportunity lies in electric drives and motors - currently, only 23 per cent of the world’s industrial motors are equipped with a drive. Yet, when paired with an existing motor in applications like pumps, fans, or compressors, a drive can typically reduce power consumption up to 25 per cent, the companies said.
In a statement, Chris Poynter, President of ABB Motion’s System Drives Division, said: "ABB and Fraunhofer’s report shows that the path to net zero is more than an environmental goal - it is a strategic business opportunity. Industrial decarbonisation drives efficiency, cuts costs, and keeps companies ahead in sustainable innovation. By adopting electrification, energy-efficient motors and drives, and alternative technologies, industries can reduce emissions while strengthening operational competitiveness. With the report’s findings, we help industries outrun - leaner and cleaner.”
Dr. Markus Kröll, Head of Business Division Circular Economy and Carbon-Neutral Production at Fraunhofer IPA, added: “Our analysis identifies the highest emitting processes within each industrial sector, and then pinpoints technologies that can mitigate them. It focuses particularly on key solutions: the electrification of processes, heat, carbon capture, and hydrogen. There is no silver bullet for decarbonisation, but there are readily available solutions. This report should make it easier for business leaders to determine the best path forward.”
Feasible actions that leaders can take in emissions reduction, which also reduce total cost of ownership, are appointed through targeted innovations across the industrial sectors mentioned in the report.
The oil and gas industry is intensifying its efforts to reduce leaks and electrify processes - key measures driving significant progress toward decarbonisation. As a result, fuel consumption is reduced, leading to lower emissions from combustion. The sector is also exploring alternative fuels like hydrogen.
Similarly, the iron and steel industry is adopting technologies such as direct reduced iron and electric arc furnaces, which offer lower-emissions alternatives to conventional production methods. While in the chemical industry, low-temperature applications such as heat pumps present an opportunity for efficiency gains and emission reductions. Electrification is also an option in the decarbonisation journey of the mining and cement industries, where it is possible to electrify a wide range of equipment - including all new and old mining trucks, haul vehicles, belt conveyors, crushers, mills and pumps.
The ABB and Fraunhofer report shows that the journey to industrial decarbonisation is complex, but actionable solutions exist today. By embracing electrification, energy-efficient technologies, and alternative fuels, industries can cut emissions while enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. The insights from this report provide a clear roadmap for businesses to drive sustainable change and promote a low-carbon future.
The whitepaper, Your route from A to Zero, can be downloaded and read in full here.
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