[Sulzbach-Rosenberg/Germany, July 2, 2025] – LEONHARD KURZ and ENERGYNEST officially broke ground yesterday on their pioneering thermal energy storage project at the KURZ production site in Sulzbach-Rosenberg. The innovative power-to-heat system is designed to decarbonize industrial heat by storing and utilizing renewable electricity for process heating.
The ceremony gathered local stakeholders, partners, and members of the press, highlighting the project’s contribution to the region’s energy transition and its role as a blueprint for more sustainable manufacturing in energy-intensive industries.
As the largest employer in the region, LEONHARD KURZ plays a key role in shaping the local economy and community. This investment underlines the company’s long-term commitment to a more sustainable industrial leadership – both globally and locally.
At a time when many companies are still navigating how to reduce emissions, this project shows that practical, future-ready energy solutions are already being implemented today. It demonstrates that sustainability is not a future goal but a current and actionable priority.
“As a global leader in surface finishing, we are committed to driving sustainability across our operations,” added Dr. Andreas Hirschfelder, CEO of KURZ. “This installation is a vital step in reducing our carbon footprint and securing long-term energy resilience.”
“Electrifying high-temperature process heat is a complex challenge, but this system demonstrates that it is both technically and economically viable. Its modular design integrates seamlessly into our existing thermal oil setup and enables us to use renewable electricity as a stable, on-demand heat source, supporting both production continuity and long-term energy resilience,” said Ralph Hopfensitz, Executive Senior Vice President Global Technology at LEONHARD KURZ.
“This project demonstrates that industrial innovation and climate responsibility can go hand in hand,” said Alex Robertson, CEO of ENERGYNEST. “Together with LEONHARD KURZ, we are setting new standards for flexible, efficient, and responsible energy use in industry.”
The system is scheduled to be commissioned in mid-2026. Once operational, it will store renewable energy as heat, significantly cutting CO₂ emissions and fossil fuel use in KURZ’s production processes.
About the project: LEONHARD KURZ and ENERGYNEST are implementing an innovative power-to-heat system with thermal energy storage at the KURZ site in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany. The project features a 3 MWe electrical heater and a 12 MWhth ThermalBattery™, integrated directly into the site’s existing thermal oil infrastructure. The system will utilize excess solar power from the site’s own PV field, further boosting the use of renewable energy in industrial processes. Once operational, the system will deliver over 3 GWh of clean heat annually—covering more than 70% of the heat demand for one production line. More than 40% of this heat will come directly from stored energy, ensuring high efficiency and reliability. The solution will reduce natural gas use by over 3.5 GWh per year, cutting more than 700 tons of CO₂ emissions.
About KURZ: LEONHARD KURZ is a world-leading thin-film technology specialist with more than 5,800 employees at more than 50 locations worldwide. KURZ develops and produces decorative and functional layers, including for the printing, packaging, and the plastics industry, for banknotes and ID documents, as well as for the automotive, electronics and medical technology sectors. The company’s comprehensive product portfolio ranges from decorative and smart interactive surface finishes, to design consulting and security concepts for product and brand protection. Together with its subsidiaries, KURZ offers solutions for digital embellishment, cold transfer, hot stamping, related printing and embossing machines, and embossing tools. KURZ is also developing its own recycling programs, is a UN Global Compact participant, and has been repeatedly recognized by EcoVadis for its sustainability activities.
About ENERGYNEST: Founded in 2011, ENERGYNEST pioneers integrated power-to-heat solutions and thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonization. Our technology provides secure, green heat and steam, reducing reliance on fossil fuels while ensuring a stable and cost-efficient energy supply. Designed for flexibility and efficiency, our solutions capture and store renewable energy, eliminating waste and enabling 24/7 process heat. Scalable, fast to install, and commercially available today, ENERGYNEST empowers industries to transition to a future-proof, gas-free energy system.
Press contact:
Ursula Mezler-Andelberg
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG
Schwabacher Straße 482, 90763 Fürth, Germany
Phone: +49 911 71 41 214
E-mail: presse@kurz.de
Mareike Schumm
ENERGYNEST
Caffamacherreihe 7, 20355 Hamburg, Germany
E-mail: msc@energynest.com
