The automotive industry produces more than 90 million vehicles each year—powering global mobility but consuming vast amounts of energy in the process. From foundries to paint shops, manufacturing is highly heat-intensive, resulting in significant costs and carbon emissions. As energy markets fluctuate and climate regulations tighten, car manufacturers are under pressure to reduce both. The good news? It’s possible to cut emissions and costs without sacrificing operational stability—through air-to-water waste heat recovery.

Water treatment is essential—and energy-intensive. In the U.S., municipal and industrial plants use over 30 billion kWh annually, placing them among the largest municipal energy consumers. Their biggest loads—aeration, pumping, and sludge handling—shed significant heat through exhaust and ventilation systems. At the same time, these facilities often require heat elsewhere, revealing a large and largely untapped opportunity for energy recovery.

The global paint and coatings industry—spanning everything from architectural paints to automotive and industrial finishes—is worth more than $186 billion worldwide and still growing. Behind that success are energy-intensive processes that mix, apply, and cure coatings under precise conditions. Continuous ovens, drying tunnels, and ventilated spray booths run hot, releasing significant waste heat. By reclaiming that energy with air-to-water (ATW) heat recovery systems, plants can turn exhaust into usable hot water—boosting efficiency while cutting costs and emissions.

Ceramic and tile manufacturing is extremely energy-intensive, with kilns, dryers, and glaze lines driving high fuel and electricity costs—often up to 30% of total production expenses. At the same time, large amounts of heat are wasted through exhaust and flue gases. Air-to-water waste heat recovery (ATW WHR) offers a smart solution by capturing this unused energy, helping manufacturers reduce costs, lower emissions, and improve sustainability with a fast return on investment.