Last autumn, BASF marked the start of construction of one of the world’s most powerful large-scale industrial heat pumps with a ceremonial ground-breaking ceremony at its Ludwigshafen site in Germany. Commissioning is scheduled for mid-2027.
“The electrification of key processes in production and energy generation is a crucial step for the chemical industry in achieving climate neutrality. In this case, the zero-emission steam from the heat pump will partially replace conventional generation based on fossil fuels in our combined cycle power stations,” explained Helmut Winterling, President of European Integrated Sites at BASF SE. “Our aim is to offer our customers products with a lower carbon footprint. We achieve this both through mass balance procedures and through targeted investments in green technologies such as heat pumps.”
Planning, Supply & Implementation
As an EPC contractor, GKT (formerly GIG Karasek) is responsible for the planning, supply and implementation of the heat pump system. “I am convinced that the ‘BASF Ludwigshafen’ flagship project will set new standards far beyond this site. It demonstrates that industrial waste heat is not a waste product, but a valuable energy source for the future,” says Julia Aichhorn, Managing Director of GKT and owner of the Dr. Aichhorn Group. “Waste heat utilisation is a game-changer for CO2 reduction – yet its potential is still far too rarely exploited. “With the construction of this large-scale heat pump and pioneers such as BASF, we are demonstrating what is possible,” emphasises Andreas Schnitzhofer, Managing Director of GIG Karasek.
Technology at a glance
With its CompriVAP technology, GKT supplies an integrated heat pump system that combines tried-and-tested components to form a high-performance complete system. The concept is based on mechanical vapour compression (MVC): steam is raised to a higher energy level using electrically driven compressors and then made available as process heat. At the heart of the plant is an 11-stage system with high-performance compressors.
Styria Innovation Award 2026
“With the innovative CompriVAP system, GKT is implementing the world’s most powerful industrial heat pump at BASF, which converts waste heat from a steam cracker into up to 50 MW of CO₂-free process steam, thereby saving around 100,000 tonnes of emissions annually. This flagship project demonstrates how industrial waste heat is transformed into a valuable energy source through innovative open heat pump technology, thereby significantly driving forward the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries,” explained the jury in awarding the Graz-based company the 2026 Innovation Award in the category “Sustainability: Medium and Large Enterprises”, which took place on 8 April 2026.
[Sources: GIG Karasek-News & SFG]