CITADEL Consortium of the European Horizon Project Gathers at HRASTNIK1860

Hrastnik, 3 April 2025 – Today, the consortium of the EU co-funded CITADEL project convened at Hrastnik1860, a member of the Vaider Group. The gathering included a visit to the demo site of the upcoming super-hybrid system, which Hrastnik1860 is developing as part of the CITADEL European Horizon project. During the visit, consortium members, along with the Hrastnik1860 team, toured both production units—PU Vitrum and PU Special—gaining valuable insights and engaging in productive discussions. Following the site visits, the group reviewed the progress of Demo Case 2 and conducted a thorough assessment, further advancing the project’s collaborative efforts.

The HorizonEurope CITADEL project, co-funded by HaDEA, brings together a consortium of 14 partners from six countries, coordinated Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). The project focuses on reducing CO₂ emissions in the energy-intensive industrial sector, which is responsible for a third of global energy consumption. By replacing fossil combustion processes with innovative electric technologies, such as electric resistance heating, microwave heating, and plasma heating, CITADEL aims to electrify industrial operations using clean, renewable electricity.

Within the CITADEL project, Hrastnik1860 is leading the pilot demonstration in the glass production industry. The company plans to upgrade its hybrid end-fired regenerative furnace to a super-hybrid system, increasing the electrical power beyond 40%. This transition will significantly reduce natural gas consumption and CO₂ emissions.

With a total budget of approximately €20 million, the CITADEL project is set to make a substantial impact on decarbonising the process industry.