At Swisspearl's factory in Lohja, Finland, a simple adjustment to the exhaust system is delivering meaningful energy savings and reducing operating costs.
Drying lines play a critical role in fiber cement board production, ensuring products reach the correct moisture content before leaving the manufacturing process. Rather than allowing warm air from the drying ovens to be released outdoors, the team developed a way to capture and reuse that energy. Today, waste heat from one drying line is redirected to preheat combustion air for both drying lines, improving overall energy efficiency.
When evaluating the project, Technical Manager Mikko Ylikopsa and his team initially considered investing in entirely new equipment. Instead, through careful analysis and practical engineering, they identified a simpler solution. By adding an insulated connection pipe to the existing system, they achieved nearly the same results while making the most of existing infrastructure.
The exact energy savings vary depending on the product being manufactured and seasonal conditions, particularly during Finland's cold winters. The project demonstrates how targeted improvements can reduce energy consumption while extending the value of existing infrastructure.