ZIMBA breaks ground: First press release published

20.02.2025

The ZIMBA project has published its first official press release, marking the formal introduction of an ambitious initiative aimed at revolutionizing industrial heat production through zero-carbon solutions. At the heart of the project lies a cutting-edge heat pump system based on an Absorption Heat Transformer (AHT) that utilizes an ammonia/water refrigerant mixture. This system is further enhanced with an ejector, broadening its operational range and efficiency.

Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, ZIMBA directly addresses the industrial sector’s significant contribution to global energy consumption and carbon emissions. The project aligns with the European Union’s overarching goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, offering a pathway to decarbonize industrial heat generation.

The ZIMBA technology is expected to deliver several key advantages. It allows for direct steam production without the need for additional components, resulting in a simpler and more streamlined system. Its design emphasizes low electricity consumption while maintaining reliability and compactness. Furthermore, by relying on widely available materials, the system is positioned for rapid commercialization and widespread adoption.

Over the next four years, the ZIMBA consortium will work to scale up this innovative technology and demonstrate its application across various industrial sectors in Europe. The goal is to provide a cleaner, more efficient solution to meet industrial heating demands.

The success of the project is supported by a strong consortium of partners, including CEA (France), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Clauger (France), AMIRES (Czech Republic), and the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST). Their combined expertise and collaboration are central to advancing ZIMBA’s objectives.

The full press release is available online and provides further insight into the project’s scope, goals, and expected impact. More updates will follow as ZIMBA continues its mission to support a sustainable and energy-efficient industrial future.