Expert articles

Volatile global energy markets have pushed natural gas prices to uncomfortable heights, emphasizing the urgent need for industries to rethink their energy strategies. One of the most impactful shifts underway is the electrification of industrial heat using industrial heat pumps and Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) systems. These technologies make it possible to significantly reduce gas dependency, lower CO₂ emissions, and create long term resilience in energy intensive processes.

Industrial decarbonization is never a one-size-fits-all challenge. Each site, each process and each team has its own realities. That is why local expertise is essential to Bilfinger’s Net Zero Approach. In Belgium and the Netherlands, that expertise comes from specialists such as: Michiel Geurds, Consultant and Program Manager Net Zero Approach, with eighteen years of experience in the energy transition, and Merve Özay, Senior Industrial Sustainability Consultant, who advises companies on managing and reducing carbon emissions and guides project teams in compliance studies. Together, they form a complementary duo that supports clients from initial ambition to concrete realization.

Across industries, many organizations are increasingly confronted with obsolescence: the moment when critical components, materials, software, skills, or services become unavailable. The impact of this can be significant. From safety risks and compliance challenges to unexpected downtime and rising maintenance costs, directly affecting reliability and continuity of operations.

“Sustainability is not just a trend. It is a responsibility.” With those words, Maja Egić, Global Business Development Lead for the Net Zero Approach, captures the essence of Bilfinger’s mission. Together with her colleague Jordi Koes, Technical Lead Net Zero, she represents the global team that supports companies on their decarbonization journey, from strategy to execution and beyond.

For many asset owners, shifting market demands or changes in their business landscape sometimes leads to lower production volumes. This naturally creates a push to reduce operational costs by lowering plant availability and optimizing maintenance.