EGGER Group – Unterradlberg Site

NESS Successfully Implements the Transition to Biomass Without Production Downtime

NESS Wärmetechnik GmbH has carried out a challenging project for EGGER to convert the energy supply for its presses. The aim was to replace fossil natural gas with a carbon-neutral solution based on biomass.
The particular challenge: the new power plant technology had to be integrated into an existing, spatially constrained infrastructure whilst production continued.

The initial Situation

Reliable Energy Supply with Lower CO₂ Emissions

EGGER aimed to achieve two key goals: reducing CO₂ emissions and decreasing dependence on volatile energy markets and rising gas prices.

At the same time, the project had to be implemented without additional production downtime. All installation and commissioning activities therefore had to be aligned with ongoing operations and pre-scheduled maintenance windows, placing particularly high demands on project planning and coordination.

What does the customer say about the project?

Martin Wurzl | Technical Plant Manager, EGGER Unterradlberg

„Our commitment to Net Zero 2050 is clear. Through the biomass-based thermal oil heating project delivered together with NESS, we have taken another important step toward that goal and can now reduce our fossil CO₂ emissions by an additional 10,000 tonnes annually“

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More Information

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1) Our Task

Engineering and System Integration

NESS was responsible for the complete engineering and technical integration of the new biomass-based heat supply into the existing plant infrastructure.

Due to the limited available space, the routing of pipelines and the positioning of system components required particularly precise and forward-looking engineering. Interfaces with existing equipment had to be carefully coordinated and integrated.

Implementation activities were either carried out alongside ongoing operations or scheduled precisely within short production shutdown windows, ensuring minimal impact on the manufacturing process.

2) Focus on technology

Efficient and Reliable Heat Transfer

The integration of the new power plant technology placed high demands on temperature resistance, pressure handling and long-term operational reliability. To meet these requirements, NESS relied on proven, high-performance components:

  • Steam systems: Designed for temperatures of around 300 °C and pressures exceeding 100 bar
  • Specialized pumps: Low-maintenance canned motor pumps for reliable continuous operation
  • Instrumentation: Radar-based measurement systems for precise condensate return control
  • Heat exchangers: Steam-to-thermal oil heat exchangers for the efficient integration of the new energy source

By providing all required declarations of conformity in accordance with the Pressure Equipment Directive, NESS ensured that the entire system meets the highest safety and quality standards.

3) Implementation

Precise and Efficient Execution During Ongoing Operations

The project was executed in close coordination with EGGER’s production processes and required meticulous planning of all installation and commissioning activities.

Thanks to structured project management and the flexibility of the NESS installation team, the project schedule was maintained despite the complex operating environment and challenging framework conditions.

Unexpected challenges, including the replacement of individual components and on-site modifications, were addressed quickly and efficiently, ensuring that the overall project timeline remained unaffected.

4) The Result

Sustainable, Efficient and Future-Ready

The successful transition to biomass marks a significant step toward a more sustainable and future-oriented production process.

The benefits of the new energy solution are clear:

  • Up to 80% reduction in natural gas consumption (subject to final approval)
  • Significant CO₂ emission reductions through the use of renewable energy
  • Greater security of supply and reduced dependence on external energy markets
  • More predictable energy costs and improved long-term economic stability
  • Annual savings of approximately 10,000 tonnes of CO₂

This project demonstrates NESS’s ability to transform complex existing industrial facilities through precise engineering, technical expertise and decades of experience, helping customers meet both today’s operational requirements and tomorrow’s sustainability goals.

Do you have a specific enquiry? We look forward to hearing from you!

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