IIR releases technical brief on high-temperature heat pumps for industrial decarbonisation
PARIS, France, 30 April 2026: The International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) announced the release of its 61st Technical Brief on Refrigeration Technologies, focusing on high-temperature heat pumps for industrial decarbonisation. Making the announcement through an April 30 Press Release, the organisation said the publication examined state-of-the-art applications and performance of high-temperature heat pumps as key technology for reducing carbon emissions from industrial heating.
IIR said Professor Ruzhu Wang, of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, authored the technical brief alongside an international team of experts, providing a comprehensive review of system configurations, working fluids, components, commercial products and real-world applications. The organisation added that the brief also assessed the economic and environmental performance of high-temperature heat pump systems.
IIR said industrial heating accounted for approximately 37% of global energy consumption, with two-thirds dedicated to heat generation, and added that the 100-200 degrees C temperature range targeted by high-temperature heat pumps was critical for sectors including food processing, chemical engineering, textiles, paper-making and plastics manufacturing. The organisation stated that replacing fossil-fuel boilers with electrified, high-efficiency alternatives was essential to meeting global decarbonisation targets.
IIR said high-temperature heat pumps had progressed significantly over the past decade, with commercial systems now available at high technology readiness levels and capable of delivering temperatures between 90 degrees C and 300 degrees C, with capacities ranging from kilowatts to 100 MW. The organisation added that annual scientific publications in the field had increased from 921 in 2010 to 5,480 in 2024, reflecting sustained growth in research activity.
IIR said the technical brief identified three main system categories: Compression, absorption and hybrid absorption-compression. IIR highlighted innovative applications such as dual-use systems combining heating and cooling, as well as integration with thermal energy storage to improve efficiency and economic performance.
Professor Wang said: “High-temperature heat pumps are the key to decarbonizing industrial heat supply and providing thermal energy via renewable electricity. Working fluids, energy efficiency, stability, scalability, electricity-to-thermal energy conversion and regulation, as well as thermal storage, are the core key elements. It is urgent to research and develop various types of high-temperature heat pumps to replace fossil fuel-fired boilers and electric boilers.”
IIR said the brief compared high-temperature heat pumps with conventional fossil-fuel boilers, noting that the systems offered a coefficient of performance above 1.5, delivering more heat energy than the electrical energy consumed. The organisation added that economic and environmental competitiveness depended on local electricity-to-fuel price ratios and the carbon intensity of national grids.
IIR said countries with cleaner electricity systems and favourable price ratios were already benefiting from adoption, and added that the advantages of high-temperature heat pumps were expected to increase, as power systems transitioned towards renewable energy.
IIR said the technical brief outlined policy recommendations to accelerate deployment, including performance-based subsidies, support for demonstration projects, carbon pricing mechanisms, investment in workforce development and regulatory clarity on refrigerant phase-out timelines. The organisation added that it had also produced a two-page summary for policymakers to make key findings accessible to non-technical decision-makers.