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SteamDry at ESCAPE 2026 in Sheffield

SteamDry took part in the 36th European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering (ESCAPE 2026), held from 21–24 June 2026 at the University of Sheffield, UK. The event focused on the theme “Resilient Sustainability through CAPE”, highlighting how advanced modelling and process engineering can support more sustainable, low‑carbon industrial systems.

At ESCAPE 2026, SteamDry contributed with two scientific works:

  • An oral presentation on dynamic modelling of fouling during filtration of dusty superheated steam.
  • A poster on a multi‑physics modelling approach for paper drying and deformation.

Both contributions are the result of collaboration with Twente University (University of Twente), one of SteamDry’s partners within the project. The oral presentation is authored by Felipe de Oliveira, Wijtze Nijhuis, Marcel Meinders and Edwin Zondervan, while the poster is authored by Ahmed Saleem, R.G.M. van der Sman and Edwin Zondervan. These works reflect the strong role of the Sustainable Process Technology group at Twente University in developing advanced models and technologies for more efficient and cleaner drying processes.

Within the SteamDry project, Twente University leads the development of steam purification technology (Work Package 7), focusing on sustainable process technology and enabling cleaner, closed‑loop superheated steam drying.

By presenting these results at ESCAPE 2026, SteamDry and Twente University underlined their joint commitment to advancing process systems engineering for more energy‑efficient, low‑emission paper drying and steam purification.

About ESCAPE 2026

ESCAPE 2026 was organised by the University of Sheffield’s School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, in collaboration with IChemE and the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures. Under the theme “Resilient Sustainability through CAPE”, the conference focused on how computer-aided process engineering can support low-carbon, resource-efficient and robust industrial operations in the face of climate and energy challenges.

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SteamDry consortium meeting in Pont Évêque: advancing SSD pilots, retrofits and scenarios

SteamDry partners will gather in Pont‑Évêque, France, on 1–2 July 2026 for the next consortium meeting hosted by Ahlstrom, combining technical updates, collaborative discussions and site visits. The programme will cover the latest developments on superheated steam drying (SSD) piloting, process optimisation, retrofit options and project management, alongside a workshop titled “Linking flexibility and SSD – Conceptualization of system design and scenarios.”

Two days of technical progress

The meeting opens on 1 July with a full technical session including management updates from Work Packages 1 and 2, which are led by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd and ensure overall project management, administration and coordination in line with the Grant Agreement. These management activities underpin the smooth execution of all technical work and the achievement of SteamDry’s objectives.

Technical presentations will then address key process topics. Work Package 6, led by Wageningen Research, focuses on preventing fibres and air from entering the closed superheated steam loop by combining advanced modelling with experimental work to improve dryer design. Work Package 9, coordinated by VTT, covers piloting of the SSD process in modified pilot dryers, providing essential data on performance, safety and scale‑up needs.

A dedicated session on trial plan review and optimisation for paper, tissue and nonwovens will help align upcoming pilot activities across the consortium and make the best use of the pilot facilities. In the afternoon, partners will hear from Work Package 7, led by the University of Twente, which develops methods and models to remove fibres and air from the loop and maintain steam quality, and from Work Package 8, coordinated by VDEh‑Betriebsforschungsinstitut (BFI), which integrates novel digital technologies, including digital twins, data management and cross‑process automation to maximise energy savings.

The day will also touch on Work Package 5, led by the Austrian Institute of Technology, which refines SSD process requirements for efficient superheating, optimising heat recovery and providing tools that help industry assess the potential of SSD. After the technical sessions, participants will visit the Ahlstrom Innovation Center, followed by an evening networking dinner in Pont‑Évêque to encourage informal exchange.

Flexibility, assessment and system design

On 2 July, the programme continues with Work Package 10, led by the University of Santiago de Compostela, which carries out the environmental and techno‑economic assessment of SSD. This work combines life‑cycle assessment (LCA) and techno‑economic analysis (TEA), and also looks at the flexibility of SSD in different electricity markets, providing a comprehensive view of environmental impact, costs and operational performance.

As part of this work package, the workshop “Linking flexibility and SSD – Conceptualization of system design and scenarios” (Task 4) will outline relevant system concepts and operating scenarios for SSD. The aim is to link flexibility needs with system design choices and provide well‑defined scenarios that can be used in the project’s assessments and future planning.

This workshop is one element within a wider agenda that also includes the development of business cases, up‑scaling strategies and retrofit opportunities. Presentations from Work Package 12, led by Metsä Group, will evaluate business cases for product manufacturers and technology suppliers, assessing deployment potential in the European Union in the short‑ to medium‑term. Work Package 11, coordinated by Valmet, will present the up‑scaling strategy of the developed solution, including market entry options, retrofit concepts and paths towards industrial‑scale implementation of SSD.

Retrofits, communication and site visit

A further session will explore retrofit opportunities for existing drying infrastructure, such as drying hoods, air‑impingement systems and through‑air drying (TAD) equipment, building on insights from the technical work packages and the up‑scaling strategy. This discussion links closely to earlier work in Work Package 3, led by VTT, which defines the transition pathway towards energy‑efficient drying and develops a vision for shifting current dryers to SSD, and Work Package 4, coordinated by the Austrian Institute of Technology, which designs a green drying process that moves away from fossil energy sources through efficient superheated steam concepts.

The meeting will also address communication, dissemination, intellectual property (IP) and exploitation activities under Work Packages 13 and 14, led by FEUGA. These packages ensure that SteamDry builds a strong project identity, shares results effectively with stakeholders, manages IP and prepares exploitation routes so that project outcomes can be transferred and used beyond the consortium.

A visit to Ahlstrom’s La Gère plant will give partners the opportunity to see industrial operations on site and reflect on how SSD might be integrated into real production environments, complementing the piloting and transition pathway work. The consortium will then hold a General Assembly meeting to review progress across all work packages and confirm next steps, before closing the two‑day event.

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SteamDry Pilot Plant enters operation: Turning data into intelligent drying control

The SteamDry project has reached a key milestone: the pilot plant is now fully operational. Since early May, initial trials have been underway, marking the transition from theoretical development to real-world experimentation. At the center of this phase, VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut (BFI) is leading the effort to understand, model, and optimise the drying process under realistic industrial conditions.

With the pilot plant running, BFI has begun a series of controlled experiments designed to explore how the system behaves. By applying step changes in parameters such as temperature, researchers observe how the plant responds dynamically. Throughout these trials, a wide range of data is recorded, including temperature, air velocity, moisture levels, and web speed. This data is essential for building accurate representations of the process.

Using these measurements, BFI has developed initial dynamic models of the plant through advanced system identification techniques. Because the drying process is inherently non-linear, multiple models are created across different operating points and combined into a nominal model with defined uncertainty ranges. These models form the backbone for the next step: designing an intelligent and efficient control system.

A key objective is to control moisture in a way that is both energy- and time-efficient. One of the main challenges lies in optimally distributing the drying load between the plant’s two dryers. To address this, BFI applies optimisation strategies that determine how best to split the drying effort, ensuring efficient use of resources.

The development process is highly iterative. Experiments inform the models, models guide controller design, and the resulting performance is validated through further testing. When uncertainties or gaps are identified, new experiments are carried out to refine the system. This rapid cycle allows the team to continuously improve results while gaining deeper insight into the process.

At the same time, BFI is building a multi-layer control architecture that combines performance with safety. At the base level, conventional PID controllers regulate core variables such as temperature, airflow, and web speed. Above this sits a robust process controller designed to handle disturbances and model uncertainties. On top of these safety layers, an advanced AI-based learning system will be introduced, enabling the plant to adapt and improve over time while operating within safe boundaries.

Looking ahead, the solutions developed at the pilot plant are intended for real industrial application. The control strategies can be transferred and adapted to full-scale facilities, with future developments aiming to incorporate learning capabilities that continuously optimise performance.

With the pilot plant now in operation, SteamDry has entered one of its most dynamic phases, where experimentation, modelling, and intelligent control come together to shape the future of industrial drying.

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STEAMDRY at Valmet’s customer event

STEAMDRY took part in Valmet’s customer event, held on 9–11 June in Jyväskylä, Finland.

The Customer Event is a popular recurring industry networking event organized by Valmet for paper producers. The event brought together industry professionals to exchange insights, discuss current developments, and explore innovative technologies shaping the future of papermaking.

During the event, STEAMDRY was presented by Kalle-Matti Romppainen, Development Manager, Board and Paper Machines Technology Unit at Valmet. Valmet is the work package leader of Work Package 11 – Up-scaling strategy of the developed solution within the STEAMDRY project. The presentation highlighted recent project developments and ongoing work towards more energy-efficient and low-carbon drying technologies for the paper industry.

A key focus of the presentation was the STEAMDRY Pilot Plant, where the VTT SAMPO pilot machine has been transformed into a fully operational Superheated Steam Drying (SSD) line. The pilot facility enables the testing and validation of SSD technology under realistic industrial conditions and provides valuable insights into drying performance, heat recovery opportunities, energy efficiency, and product quality.

The presentation also highlighted STEAMDRY’s work on industrial dryer retrofit concepts. Within the project, three SSD configurations—convective SSD, conductive SSD, and a combined convective-conductive SSD concept—have been evaluated on a representative European packaging board machine. These concepts have been assessed against key performance indicators, including energy savings, investment requirements, payback time, runnability, product quality, and retrofit feasibility.

Particular attention was given to the combined convective-conductive SSD concept, which has emerged as a promising candidate for a first industrial retrofit. By combining high-intensity superheated steam drying with the reuse of existing dryer infrastructure, the concept offers a practical pathway for increasing drying capacity while reducing specific energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

The event provided an opportunity for the project to reach its target audience and potential future adopters of the technology, and to engage directly in discussions and questions around the practical application of superheated steam drying in industry.

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Drying Tops EU Energy Agenda: What Eurostat’s 2024 Data Means for the SteamDry Project

In May 2026, Eurostat released updated figures on final energy consumption in EU industry, and the message is clear: energy‑intensive sectors like pulp and paper remain central to Europe’s decarbonisation challenge, and opportunity. For the SteamDry project, which targets drastic energy cuts in paper and board drying, these new data strongly confirm that focusing on drying is the right lever at the right time.

Industry’s energy footprint in the EU

In 2024, industry accounted for 23.9% of the EU’s final energy consumption, making it the third‑largest energy user after transport and households. Electricity and natural gas together covered almost two‑thirds of industrial final energy demand (33.3% and 31.9% respectively), while fossil fuels in various forms still represented roughly half of the sector’s total energy use.

Over the past three decades, industrial energy consumption has decreased from 12 795 PJ in 1990 to 8 835 PJ in 2024, a reduction of around 30.9%, driven by efficiency gains and structural changes. At the same time, renewables and biofuels used in industry more than doubled in absolute terms, rising from 497 PJ to 999 PJ between 1990 and 2024, underlining a gradual but steady move towards cleaner energy sources.

Where pulp and paper stands

Eurostat’s disaggregated statistics show that a small group of sectors dominates industrial energy use: chemicals and petrochemicals, non‑metallic minerals, food, beverages and tobacco, paper, pulp and printing, and iron and steel. In 2024, the paper, pulp and printing industry consumed 997 PJ, equal to 12.1% of total final energy use in EU industry, placing it among the top five energy‑using sectors.

For a project like SteamDry, this confirms the strategic importance of focusing on paper and board drying, where relatively modest percentage gains can translate into large absolute energy and emissions reductions. It also aligns the project directly with EU policy attention on energy‑intensive, trade‑exposed industries under the Green Deal, Fit‑for‑55 and REPowerEU initiatives.

Drying: the key hotspot in papermaking

Within pulp and paper production, drying is the single most energy‑intensive process step, typically responsible for the majority of thermal energy demand on a paper machine. Conventional drying relies on large quantities of steam, often generated by burning fossil fuels or biomass, which links mills’ cost structure and carbon footprint directly to fuel and carbon prices.

By targeting the drying section, the SteamDry project is addressing the main energy hotspot in a typical paper mill. This process‑level focus matches the direction of Eurostat’s new industrial energy statistics, which provide more detailed breakdowns by sector and are designed to support precisely such targeted efficiency and fuel‑switching measures.

How SteamDry responds to the EU energy data

SteamDry develops and demonstrates superheated steam drying (SSD) for paper and board, with the goal of cutting energy use in drying by up to 60%, corresponding to around 40% savings across the whole production line. SSD uses a closed loop of superheated steam instead of hot air, enabling nearly complete recovery of latent heat and highly efficient reuse of energy within the process.

This approach directly supports the trends and needs highlighted by Eurostat’s statistics and EU policy:

  • It reduces dependence on natural gas and other fossil fuels for process heat by enabling a more electrified, steam‑based drying concept.
  • It improves overall energy efficiency at mill level, contributing to the long‑term downward trend in industrial energy use while allowing output to grow.
  • It facilitates integration with renewable electricity and advanced heat pumps, aligning with REPowerEU’s call to replace gas, oil and coal with clean energy in industrial processes.

In the long term, SteamDry estimates an energy savings potential of about 127 TWh per year in Europe, equivalent to roughly 6 billion euros in annual energy cost savings for paper and board manufacturers. On a global scale, the potential reaches approximately 870 TWh per year, underscoring the relevance of the technology far beyond the EU market.

A timely signal for mills and policymakers

Eurostat’s 2024 industrial energy data were extracted in May 2026, and the next planned article update is scheduled for May 2027. That timeline overlaps with the SteamDry project, which runs from January 2024 to June 2027 and aims to bring SSD from concept to pilot‑scale demonstration during this period.

If pulp and paper mills use this window to accelerate investment in next‑generation drying and heat‑recovery technologies, the 2027 update of “Final energy consumption in industry, detailed statistics” could be the first to show a visible change in the energy profile of the paper, pulp and printing sector. For the SteamDry consortium, this would be tangible evidence that superheated steam drying is helping turn high‑level EU energy statistics into real‑world progress on efficiency, competitiveness and climate neutrality.

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USC and Steamdry push Parametric LCA forward with new open access article

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment (Pa‑LCA) is becoming a key tool for designing the low‑carbon, resource‑efficient technologies we need for the green and digital transition. But until now, there has been no clear, shared roadmap on how to actually do Pa‑LCA in a robust, comparable way.

Researchers from the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC) and their co‑authors have just published a new open‑access review article, “Advancing parametric life cycle assessment (Pa‑LCA): A systematic review and methodological roadmap for enhanced sustainability assessments.” This work looks at 95 Pa‑LCA studies from the last decade and distils them into a practical framework that helps researchers and practitioners design better parametric LCAs, from choosing parameters and KPIs to handling sensitivity and uncertainty.

For Steamdry, USC is a key partner leading the methodological and assessment work. Their role in the project is to develop and apply advanced LCA and Pa‑LCA methods, define key performance indicators, and make sure that the technologies developed in Steamdry are evaluated with the best available science. This new paper is a tangible example of USC’s contribution to Steamdry: it provides the scientific backbone we will use to build dynamic, transparent, and decision‑ready sustainability assessments throughout the project.

Read here the full article.

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Electrification and advanced heat for energy intensive industries: from pilots to EU wide deployment

18 June 2026 (09:30–11:00 CEST) – Online (Microsoft Teams)

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This joint Sustainable Energy Day by SteamDry and METAWAVE is organised in the framework of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2026, the main annual event of the European Union dedicated to renewables and energy efficiency. EUSEW provides a platform to present innovative projects, exchange best practices and build partnerships that support the EU’s energy and climate goals, including higher energy‑efficiency targets, accelerated renewables deployment and climate‑neutrality by 2050.

By focusing on the electrification of industrial heat in sectors such as paper and board, ceramics, asphalt and aluminium, the event contributes directly to these objectives. Electrified process‑heat solutions like superheated steam drying and microwave‑based high‑temperature processes can significantly reduce fossil fuel use, lower greenhouse‑gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in some of Europe’s most energy‑intensive value chains. At the same time, they help implement key EU strategies such as the Green Deal, REPowerEU and the Industrial Green Deal, which all call for faster decarbonisation of industry while preserving competitiveness and quality jobs.

The session is designed not only to showcase technical progress, but also to inform policy. Through a combination of data‑driven presentations, project pitches and an interactive policy panel with representatives from EU‑level initiatives, industry and the European Parliament, the event will identify barriers and enablers for scaling up electrified heat. The resulting messages aim to support EU and national decision‑makers in designing regulations, funding instruments and industrial strategies that accelerate the transition of energy‑intensive industries in line with Europe’s climate and energy targets.

Programme highlights

Welcome and opening remarks (09:30)
Policy keynote: why industrial heat electrification now (09:35)
  • Alper Akdag – Chair of A.SPIRE Working Group 1 (Energy and CO₂), setting the scene on the EU policy context, REPowerEU and support for energy‑intensive industries.
The challenge: energy use and CO₂ in energy‑intensive process industries (09:45)

Data‑driven overview of current energy use, fuel mix and emissions in the processes targeted by SteamDry and METAWAVE, and the potential impact of electrified solutions.

Project pitches: electrification solutions in practice (10:00)
  • METAWAVE – Microwave‑based high‑temperature processes for energy‑intensive sectors.
    María Herrando – METAWAVE project coordinator and senior researcher at ITA Instituto Tecnológico de Aragón.

Concise, policy‑oriented presentations on the technologies, their main industrial applications and the practical challenges to large‑scale deployment.

Interactive policy panel: what industry needs to scale electrified heat (10:20)

Moderated discussion on policy changes, instruments and regional initiatives needed to accelerate the deployment of electrified process heat, including audience questions and a short live poll.

 

This Sustainable Energy Day aims to feed concrete messages from industry and research into the wider EUSEW policy debate on how to support the transition of energy‑intensive industries while maintaining competitiveness.

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Steamdry at the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference

Steamdry was pleased to participate in the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference, where our partner AIT Austrian Institute of Technology presented a joint work on advanced heat recovery and drying technologies.

The presentation, titled “Heat recovery with steam compressor: Dynamic model of a superheated steam drying system to evaluate efficient system operation,” was delivered by Michael Pölzl (AIT) on Friday, May 29 in the Festsaal. It was part of the session “HTH11 + AIP2 Techno-Economic & Environmental Assessment of High Temperature Heat Pumps and Adaptation of Industrial Processes.”

This contribution, developed by AIT in collaboration with Piller Blowers & Compressors and Wageningen University & Research, focuses on superheated steam drying (SSD) as an innovative alternative to conventional drying processes in the pulp and paper industry.

SSD offers strong potential for improving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing product quality. A key element of the system is the use of a steam compressor, which recovers latent heat from excess steam and upgrades it to the required temperature and pressure levels for reuse within the drying process.

To better understand and optimize this complex system, a dynamic model has been developed to simulate the transient behavior of the dryer, steam compressor, and auxiliary components such as heat exchangers and electrical heating. This model makes it possible to evaluate how different operating conditions—such as temperature levels and the presence of air in the steam cycle—affect overall system performance and efficiency.

The results demonstrate how such modeling tools can support the design and operation of superheated steam drying systems, enabling more efficient and reliable integration into industrial processes.

Through its partners, SteamDry is proud to contribute to the development of next-generation drying technologies and to support the transition toward more energy-efficient industrial solutions.

The presentation provided an opportunity to share the project’s latest developments with researchers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders working to advance sustainable and energy-efficient industrial processes.

About the event

The IEA Heat Pump Conference is one of the leading international events on heat pump technologies, bringing together industry, research, and policy to advance energy efficiency and decarbonization in heating and industrial processes.

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Introducing the SteamDry Pilot Plant Infographic

When we talk about decarbonising drying, it can be hard to picture what the future actually looks like on a real machine. That’s exactly why we created our new SteamDry Pilot Plant infographic.

The infographic walks you through how we’ve rebuilt the VTT SAMPO pilot machine into a fully fledged Superheated Steam Drying (SSD) line. It shows the complete journey: from how the wet web enters the first hood, to how closed-loop superheated steam dries the sheet, to how waste heat can be recovered and reused in the mill.

At a glance, you can see the key technical parameters:

  • Speed range from low trial speeds up to near-industrial levels
  • Web width suitable for realistic scale-up
  • A long dryer section with two SSD hoods in series
  • High-temperature steam and installed power enabling efficient drying
  • A very wide basis-weight window, from light grades to heavy structures

In parallel, the infographic highlights why SSD is such a strong candidate for low-carbon drying. By circulating and reheating steam in a closed loop, the system offers the potential for significant energy savings and a much higher drying rate than conventional hot-air systems. Because the exhaust is steam, its latent heat can be captured and reused, supporting more circular heat management at mill level.

You’ll also find a clear, step-by-step process flow: how the sheet enters, how the steam is superheated, how it circulates through the hoods, and how an optional IR section can be used for final moisture adjustment. For users of pilot facilities, this gives a concrete picture of what kind of trials are possible and how flexible the line really is.

The infographic also touches on the technical challenges that our team is addressing, such as sealing, steam purity, and thermal durability of fabrics and materials at high temperature. These are exactly the issues that need to be solved to pave the way for full-scale industrial implementations.

Finally, the infographic places the pilot plant in its wider innovation context, as part of a Horizon Europe–funded effort to develop energy-efficient, sustainable drying solutions for fiber-based materials across Europe.

If you’re interested in:

  • Exploring energy and heat-recovery scenarios, or
  • Investigating how superheated steam drying affects product quality,

we’d be happy to discuss what’s possible on the pilot plant.

You can view the full SteamDry Pilot Plant infographic below.

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SteamDry showcased Superheated Steam Drying at Pulp & Beyond 2026

SteamDry showcased its superheated steam drying technology at Pulp & Beyond 2026 in Helsinki, where the team engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from the pulp, paper and broader forest‑based bioeconomy industry at stand 5B. Throughout the event, visitors showed strong interest in our solutions to significantly reduce energy consumption and enable CO₂-free drying processes.

Pulp & Beyond 2026 took place at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, with the main exhibition held on 15–16 April 2026 and an international conference day on 14 April. The event once again confirmed its role as the leading Nordic forum for forest‑based bioeconomy, gathering technology providers, mills, researchers, and investors to explore new solutions and business opportunities.​

SteamDry at stand 5B

At stand 5B, the SteamDry team presented how superheated steam drying (SSD) can achieve up to 60% energy savings in the drying process, which corresponds to around 40% energy savings across the entire production line. Discussions with visitors also highlighted growing industry demand for technologies that allow near-complete recovery of latent heat and support the transition toward fully electrified, CO₂ emission-free drying sections in paper and board manufacturing.

SteamDry is designed to support paper and board manufacturers in meeting increasingly increasingly strict climate, energy and competitiveness requirements by combining significantly higher efficiency with low CAPEX and OPEX retrofit options for both existing or new machines. By aligning with EU climate and bioeconomy strategies and key initiatives such as the 2030 Climate Target Plan and REPowerEU, the concept contributes to accelerating the transition away from fossil-based drying while opening new opportunities for technology suppliers.

Highlights from the event