Partner in Pet Food Hungaria forges partnership for energy efficiency 

HUNGARY – Partner in Pet Food Hungaria (PPF), a leading European pet food producer, has embarked on a transformative sustainability journey by entering a 12-year Heat as a Service (HaaS) agreement with Brenmiller Energy. 

This collaboration aims to supply PPF’s manufacturing facility in Dombovar, Hungary, with low-carbon steam, marking a significant shift towards greener production practices. 

PPF, which produces over 700,000 tons of pet food annually from its 12 production facilities, distributes its products to more than 35 European countries, making this initiative a notable example of sustainability leadership within the pet food industry.

Brenmiller Energy, known for its innovative thermal energy storage solutions, will design, build, own, and operate a 30 MWh bGen ZERO system adjacent to PPF’s pet food manufacturing plant. 

This system will prioritise the use of clean steam over PPF’s existing fossil fuel boilers, substantially reducing both energy costs and carbon emissions. 

The project, expected to cost around US$5 million, is integral to PPF’s strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030, reflecting its strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

The bGen TES (Thermal Energy Storage) system by Brenmiller converts electricity into heat, providing a sustainable and cost-effective energy source that competes with traditional natural gas. Beyond its environmental benefits, the system also contributes to grid balancing in Hungary. 

The project leverages favourable regulatory and energy market conditions, including a new capacity market program by Hungary’s Transmission System Operator (TSO) Mavir, compensating heat battery asset owners for their flexibility. 

This allows Brenmiller to participate in Mavir’s grid-balancing market, enhancing the project’s financial viability.

Gerald Kuehr, CEO of PPF, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our company is deeply committed to sustainability, and Brenmiller’s turnkey bGen technology is the ideal solution to future-proof our manufacturing operations. As a leading private-label pet food producer in Europe, with an annual output of over 700,000 tons, we are responsible for driving the sustainability agenda within our industry. We are proud to work with Brenmiller to achieve our greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

The pet food industry, particularly well-suited for thermal energy storage, represents a significant market for Brenmiller’s bGen technology. 

According to the Renewable Thermal Collaborative, 97% of food and beverage processing process heat is below 130°C. Brenmiller’s system, capable of reaching temperatures up to 650°C, is perfectly positioned to meet the industry’s power-to-heat needs.

Avi Brenmiller, chairman and CEO of Brenmiller Energy, highlighted the dual benefits of the HaaS model: “Our Heat as a Service solution is a win-win for Partner in Pet Food. Providing access to heat while maintaining ownership of the system, we help our customers achieve both sustainability and profitability goals. Additionally, our system delivers critical flexibility to Hungary’s electricity grid, supporting the deployment of more renewables. This dual capability is crucial to unlocking the business case for thermal energy storage in industrial applications.”

PPF’s collaboration with Brenmiller supports its sustainability objectives and strengthens its competitive edge in the European market. 

As a major player in the pet food industry, PPF is setting a new standard for environmental stewardship, demonstrating that it is possible to balance economic and ecological priorities effectively.

Looking ahead, this partnership is expected to influence the broader food and beverage industry, encouraging more companies to adopt sustainable energy practices. 

The long-term agreement with Brenmiller also establishes a strong presence for the company in Hungary’s fast-growing energy storage market, positioning both PPF and Brenmiller as leaders in the transition towards a more sustainable future in food production.

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