{"id":51785,"date":"2026-06-02T16:09:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T14:09:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/?post_type=showroom_cpt&p=51785"},"modified":"2026-06-02T16:09:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T14:09:51","slug":"co%e2%82%82-neutral-crematoria-pontes-decarbonisation-roadmap","status":"publish","type":"showroom_cpt","link":"https:\/\/www.swecobelgium.be\/en\/showroom\/co%e2%82%82-neutral-crematoria-pontes-decarbonisation-roadmap\/","title":{"rendered":"CO\u2082-neutral crematoria: Pontes\u2019 decarbonisation roadmap"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How do you make a crematorium climate-neutral in a context where natural gas is still the norm? For Pontes, this is a strategic challenge with major implications for infrastructure, energy use and investments. Today, cremation furnaces and heating boilers are the main sources of CO<\/strong>\u2082<\/strong> emissions, while supporting installations such as HVAC and compressed air systems also contribute significantly to energy consumption.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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Energy solutions<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

CO\u2082-neutral crematoria: Pontes\u2019 decarbonisation roadmap<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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The decarbonisation<\/a> roadmap developed together with Sweco is based on a clear ambition: up to 47% CO\u2082 reduction by 2030 and fully emission-free operations by 2050. At the same time, the roadmap is a well-considered exercise exploring multiple pathways, clearly defining boundary conditions and preparing future investments without fixing everything definitively today. We offer a flexible framework with a wide range of solutions, from which we guide clients in selecting a decarbonisation<\/a> strategy that perfectly matches their processes both technically and economically.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Expertise:<\/dt>\n
Energy solutions<\/a><\/span><\/dd>\n
Client<\/dt>\n
Pontes<\/span><\/dd>\n
Location<\/dt>\n
Turnhout, Lommel and Antwerp<\/span><\/dd>\n
Services<\/dt>\n
Decarbonisation<\/a> roadmap, energy and CO\u2082 analyses, energy management<\/a><\/span><\/dd>\n <\/dl>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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The challenge: making crematoria more sustainable without CO\u2082 emissions<\/h2>\n

The main source of CO\u2082 emissions at Pontes sites remains the use of natural gas in cremation furnaces and heating systems. In addition, numerous supporting systems together create a substantial energy demand.<\/p>\n

Our study shows that optimisations such as heat recovery already exist, but often operate suboptimally due to technical limitations, insufficient buffering and a lack of smart control. At the same time, cremation demand is expected to increase towards 2050, further raising pressure on energy use and emissions. This combination clearly shows that efficiency improvements alone are insufficient. A structural transition towards electrification and renewable energy<\/a> is necessary.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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From business as usual to maximum decarbonisation<\/h2>\n

To make this transition concrete, Sweco developed three scenarios for each site (Turnhout, Lommel and Antwerp). The \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d scenario shows what happens without major interventions. The base scenario groups logical and economically viable measures, while the ambitious stretch scenario focuses on maximum CO\u2082 reduction using innovative technologies. These scenarios make the impact of choices tangible. They show not only potential emission reductions, but also investments, energy costs and implications for the electrical infrastructure.<\/p>\n

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Electrification as the key to CO\u2082 reduction: role for resomation and heat pumps<\/h2>\n

All scenarios lead to one clear conclusion: switching to electric cremation furnaces is necessary. This technology is likely the most important lever for CO\u2082 reduction.<\/p>\n

Alternatives such as resomation\u2014also known as aquamation\u2014still require further scientific research. Resomation is a method in which the body of a deceased person is broken down using water and potassium hydroxide under high temperature (between 100 and 150\u00b0C) and pressure. The total energy consumption, whether combined with residual heat recovery or not, still needs to be mapped and compared with other forms of body disposition. However, it is already clear that the resomation process is significantly more energy-efficient compared to traditional gas-fired cremation furnaces. At Pontes, an extensive scientific pilot project is underway, in collaboration with the University of Antwerp, KU Leuven and VITO, to further assess environmental impact, efficiency and practical feasibility.<\/p>\n

Heat pumps form a second crucial pillar. They make it possible to decarbonise building heating demand and, at some sites, even play the largest role in decarbonisation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Energy management system addresses grid capacity and peak demand<\/h2>\n

The transition to electric systems introduces a new challenge: electricity grid capacity. At several sites, the grid connection<\/a> risks becoming a limiting factor, especially with the introduction of electric furnaces.<\/p>\n

This is why Sweco\u2019s study highlights the importance of smart control. An integrated energy management<\/a> system (EMS) can smooth out peak loads and thus avoid heavy investments in grid reinforcement. Solutions such as batteries<\/a>, energy sharing and demand response are also becoming increasingly relevant. While they do not directly reduce CO\u2082 emissions, they make electrification practical and economically feasible.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Steering investments without locking out future options<\/h2>\n

The roadmap shows that decarbonisation<\/a> is not only a technical story, but also an economic and organisational challenge. Significant investments are required, for example in electric furnaces and resomators. External factors also play an important role, such as emissions regulations, energy price evolution and the availability of green electricity. Strategic choices strongly influence the trajectory as well.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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From roadmap to implementation<\/h2>\n

The strength of this roadmap lies in the combination of long-term vision and concrete steps. In the short term, the focus is on energy efficiency<\/a>, PV installations and optimising existing systems. In parallel, strategic decisions are being prepared regarding electrification, furnaces and infrastructure. Importantly, the roadmap leaves room for adjustments. Through periodic evaluation and the integration of new technologies, Pontes remains flexible in a rapidly evolving energy market.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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How can we help you?<\/h3> <\/div>\n
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\n How can we help your business? A team of experts is ready to assist you and see how we can help with your inquiry. When you submit this form, someone from our team will get in touch with you. This form is intended solely for more information about our Sweco business solutions.\r\n <\/div>\n\n
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