A pioneering low-carbon furnace system has reached its final commissioning phase at the Materials Processing Institute (MPI), marking a significant step forward in the decarbonisation of emission-intensive industrial processes.

Manufactured by Therser UK, the bespoke multi-fuel bogie hearth furnace is capable of heating up to five tonnes of material. It can operate using hydrogen, hydrogen/natural gas blends, and a range of other low-carbon fuels.

Currently undergoing refractory drying at MPI’s Teesside site, the furnace will soon be available to industry as a pilot-scale demonstrator. It aims to support the wider adoption of sustainable fuel switching technologies across the foundation industries.

Capable of reaching temperatures up to 1300°C, the furnace is equipped with advanced sensing and control systems designed to capture vital operational data, helping to guide future investment decisions.

Terry Walsh, CEO of MPI, said:

“This is a significant investment and a major milestone in supporting industry to accelerate the transition to more sustainable fuels. It offers a unique platform for testing, validating, and de-risking hydrogen and fuel switching technologies.”

The new system complements MPI’s existing hydrogen storage and distribution infrastructure, while also providing a flexible testbed for original equipment manufacturers and materials developers. It is particularly suited to evaluating components such as burners, sensors, and refractories.

The project is funded by ECONOMISER 2, a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) programme delivered through the Foundation Industry Sustainability Consortium (FISC).