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How to Approach Decarbonisation in Industrial Bakeries 

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Industrial Bakeries have enough waste heat to materially decarbonise heating systems and save money at the same time, but doing it cost-effectively requires proper measurement and whole-system analysis.

Where Heat Is both Used and Wasted in Industrial Bakeries

Industrial bakeries have several heat demands including ovens, proofers, crate washing, hot water and humidification. They also have several sources of waste heat, for example ovens, air compressors and chillers, and even the warm water from crate washing. Improving heating efficiency reduces the long-term cost of decarbonisation.

What Oven Waste Heat Can Really Do

There is enough heat available in the oven exhaust to use for several purposes over and above preheating combustion air, if the heat recovery is enhanced using heat pumps. A heat pump can make it possible to use the latent heat from the high level of moisture in the oven exhaust. The condensed water can also be recovered for use in washing. The oven waste heat is typically enough to offset the entire steam boiler output and then some.

Why Whole-System Analysis Matters

It is not quite as simple as that though. The steam demands for a bakery don’t necessarily align with all the waste heat availability and temperatures don’t always match. Understanding the pattern of heat use and the availability of waste heat helps in determining the best approach to reducing heating cost and carbon emissions. Measuring key factors enables the business to decarbonise in a structured way.

A Practical Way to Plan Bakery Decarbonisation

Considering just one piece of the decarbonisation puzzle in isolation can make it harder and more expensive to achieve the best result in the long term.

So, we encourage a whole system analysis first, with decisions around technology second.

A good approach to finding the best and most realistic solution is:

1. Identify all useful waste heat sources and heat sinks (heating demands).

2. Measure the heat demand and waste heat availability over at least one typical operating cycle

3. Use data analysis to determine the optimum combination of heat recovery and renewable heat options that can be implemented over time to achieve your decarbonisation goals in a cost-effective way.

4. Develop a business case and implementation plan.

How Northmore Gordon can help:

Northmore Gordon can do the hard work for you; it is what we do. We analyse energy use, assist with obtaining government support, optimise the business case using potential revenue from environmental certificate schemes, and help to deliver the project.

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Why can industrial bakeries realistically decarbonise their heating systems while saving money?

According to Northmore Gordon, industrial bakeries have enough waste heat to materially decarbonise their heating systems and save money at the same time, but doing this cost-effectively requires proper measurement and whole-system analysis.

Where are heat demands and waste heat sources found in industrial bakeries?

Industrial bakeries have several heat demands including ovens, proofers, crate washing, hot water and humidification. Sources of waste heat include ovens, air compressors and chillers, and even the warm water from crate washing. Improving heating efficiency reduces the long-term cost of decarbonisation.

How much of a bakery's steam boiler output can oven waste heat offset, and what technology enhances this?

The oven waste heat is typically enough to offset the entire steam boiler output and then some. Heat pumps can enhance heat recovery, making it possible to use the latent heat from the high level of moisture in the oven exhaust, and the condensed water can also be recovered for use in washing.

Why is whole-system analysis important rather than considering waste heat recovery in isolation?

Steam demands for a bakery don't necessarily align with all the waste heat availability, and temperatures don't always match. Understanding the pattern of heat use and the availability of waste heat helps determine the best approach to reducing heating cost and carbon emissions, and measuring key factors enables the business to decarbonise in a structured way. Considering just one piece of the decarbonisation puzzle in isolation can make it harder and more expensive to achieve the best result long term.

What four-step process does Northmore Gordon recommend for planning bakery decarbonisation?

Northmore Gordon recommends: 1) Identify all useful waste heat sources and heat sinks (heating demands); 2) Measure the heat demand and waste heat availability over at least one typical operating cycle; 3) Use data analysis to determine the optimum combination of heat recovery and renewable heat options that can be implemented over time to achieve decarbonisation goals cost-effectively; and 4) Develop a business case and implementation plan.

Should technology decisions come before or after whole-system analysis, according to Northmore Gordon?

Northmore Gordon encourages a whole system analysis first, with decisions around technology second.

How can Northmore Gordon help bakeries with decarbonisation?

Northmore Gordon analyses energy use, assists with obtaining government support, optimises the business case using potential revenue from environmental certificate schemes, and helps to deliver the project.

Who wrote the article on decarbonisation in industrial bakeries, and when was it published?

The article 'How to Approach Decarbonisation in Industrial Bakeries' was written by Angela Clarke and published on February 26, 2026.

What other resources does Northmore Gordon offer that relate to industrial decarbonisation?

Beyond this article, Northmore Gordon's knowledge base includes the Greenham case study, which demonstrates a staged approach to industrial decarbonisation across multiple sites and technologies, and guidance on energy-improvement programmes for the food and beverage sector covering refrigeration, thermal processes, compressed air, and operational efficiency. Northmore Gordon also offers carbon advisory services including diagnostic workshops, opportunity assessment, transition planning, and feasibility studies.

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