eLITHE meets at KTH in Stockholm: project partners advance electric high-temperature solutions for the ceramics industry

On 2 March 2026, European gas prices rose sharply amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, which led Qatar to halt liquefied natural gas production at its main plant. In this context, eLITHE is working on technologies and digital tools to reduce dependence on gas in high-temperature ceramic processes, while maintaining industrial performance and enabling a transition towards cleaner energy sources.

“Volatility in gas markets is not new. What is new is the level of technological readiness we are reaching to provide real alternatives.” — Miguel Zarzuela, eLITHE Project Coordinator

A shared digital backbone for monitoring and operational readiness

During the meeting, the consortium showcased the evolution of its shared digital platform—designed as a central hub to collect and make use of pilot data and support operational monitoring, also in view of energy flexibility for electrified processes.
The platform, currently under development, is now available within the project through cloud deployment and includes new features: a data upload interface, video streaming, expanded dashboards and an initial set of threshold-based rules capable of generating events when parameters exceed defined limits—helping to structure process management and improve visibility of operating conditions.

Progress across three electrification routes at the industrial demosites

GREECE — Microwave-assited heating

The Greek demosite focuses on alumina calcination using microwave technology, with control solutions to handle feed variability and key process parameters. Progress on scale-up was presented, from laboratory results to engineering activities towards a pilot configuration closer to industrial conditions, aiming to demonstrate performance and operability at relevant scale.

GERMANY — Hybrid furnace for bricks firing

In Germany, the approach aims to make brick firing more flexible by combining heating solutions and reducing the use of gas in the kiln. Updates were shared on the HyFlexFlox concept: three burners have been built, and one design has been selected for upscaling towards a demonstration unit. In parallel, pilot redesign and installation activities are underway.

SPAIN — Induction and electrode-based heating technology for frits melting

In Spain, the demosite develops an electric solution for frit melting that combines electrode heating and induction (with auxiliary burners for start-up/back-up). Updates covered both the engineering work required for electric melting and the materials workstream. Activities are ongoing on new frit formulations and the characterisation of properties relevant to the process (such as viscosity and electrical conductivity), alongside refractory and lining development. This work supports the selection and qualification of materials able to withstand furnace operating conditions—high temperatures, interaction with the melt and constraints linked to electric heating—ensuring stability and durability over time.

Transferability, economics and enabling conditions for the industrial adoption of eLITHE solutions

Beyond technology development, the consortium is advancing the pathway to make the solutions transferable beyond the three demosites. Work is ongoing to compare conventional fossil-based routes with electrified alternatives using industry-relevant indicators—such as GHG emissions per kilogram of product, energy cost per unit of output, and investment payback time—supported by structured data collection and assessment workflows.

Alignment through pilot workshops

Dedicated parallel pilot workshops helped align technical requirements and near-term priorities for industrial integration across the three demosites.