Energest pushes thermal energy recovery to boost Portuguese industry efficiency

Miguel Marques, director of production at the Portuguese firm Energest, says industrial energy efficiency is increasingly focused on recovering waste heat that would otherwise be lost. By capturing residual thermal energy from exhaust gases, hot surfaces and intermediate flows, companies can pre‑heat fluids, generate steam, power additional equipment or even produce extra electricity. This approach reduces operating costs, cuts dependence on external energy sources and supports decarbonisation goals.

Energest stresses that heat‑recovery solutions are not limited to large‑scale projects; phased, targeted interventions can deliver measurable gains for a wide range of industrial processes. The company highlights that integrating these technologies requires a holistic view of plant energy flows rather than simply adding new equipment. In Portugal’s current energy‑price environment, adopting such measures is becoming a strategic priority for competitiveness and sustainability.