Fuel Alternatives to Decarbonize High-Thermal Ceramics Manufacturing: Feasibility and Prospects for Porcelanosa

The ceramic industry relies on several energy-intensive processes that currently use natural gas as their primary energy source. In line with the European Union’s objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, alternative energy sources are being explored to replace natural gas. This study evaluates several potential pathways for decarbonizing ceramic production. The alternatives considered include the use of green hydrogen for combustion, the electrification of processes, the combustion of biomethane (produced from biogas), and the deployment of a small modular reactor (SMR), capable of supplying either thermal or electrical energy from nuclear power. A fifth option involves a hybrid approach combining hydrogen and electrification, with each technology applied according to the requirements of the specific process being decarbonized. The results of this study indicate that electrification is currently the most suitable option for immediate implementation. In contrast, SMRs appear to offer the most economically attractive long-term solution, although the technology is still under development, and political, environmental and societal concerns need to be accounted for.