Coolbrook and ABB have entered the industrial delivery phase of their partnership with the launch of a first-of-its-kind industrial-scale deployment of Coolbrook’s RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) technology at Adani Cement’s Boyareddypalli Integrated Cement Plant in Andhra Pradesh. The project marks a major step in the use of electrified high-temperature heating technology to reduce carbon emissions in cement manufacturing.
The deployment follows several years of joint research, development and testing between the two companies. As part of the next phase of the project, Coolbrook has awarded ABB the electrical equipment package for the RDH installation. ABB will supply drives, motors, an e-house, electrical infrastructure and related components. These systems will be integrated with the ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of the new technology.
The project comes at a time when industrial companies are looking for practical solutions to replace fossil fuels in energy-intensive manufacturing processes. With the rapid growth of renewable electricity and increasing focus on decarbonisation, electrified heating is emerging as an important pathway for reducing emissions while maintaining production efficiency.
The calcination stage of cement production is one of the most energy-intensive and carbon-emitting processes in the industry. Coolbrook’s RotoDynamic Heater generates clean, high-temperature heat that can be used to dry and improve the energy value of alternative fuels. This enables cement producers to replace a larger share of conventional fossil fuels with renewable and waste-based alternatives. The installation at Adani Cement is expected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 60,000 tonnes every year, with the potential for even greater reductions as the use of alternative fuels increases.
Joonas Rauramo, Chief Executive Officer of Coolbrook, said the cement industry is entering a new phase in its transition toward electrified production. He said the focus has now shifted from technology development to large-scale industrial deployment. He added that ABB’s expertise in electrification and industrial execution will help ensure reliable and efficient performance of the system while supporting the industry’s long-term decarbonisation goals.
Joachim Braun, President of ABB’s Process Industries division, said reducing emissions from industries such as cement requires strong partnerships and technologies that can be deployed at scale. He noted that supporting the first industrial-scale installation of Coolbrook’s RotoDynamic Heater is an important milestone and demonstrates how electrification can help manufacturers lower emissions without compromising productivity or operational performance.
ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation, helping industries improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability through advanced engineering and digital technologies. The company has more than 140 years of experience and employs around 110,000 people worldwide.
Coolbrook develops advanced technologies designed to eliminate fossil fuel use in heavy industries, including cement, chemicals, petrochemicals, iron and steel. Its RotoDynamic Heater and RotoDynamic Reactor technologies are designed to deliver carbon-free industrial heating and processing. At full commercial scale, the technology has the potential to achieve temperatures of up to 1,700°C and reduce global industrial carbon emissions by as much as 2.4 billion tonnes annually.
