From Challenge to Change: New ABB and Fraunhofer IPA Report on How Hard-to-Abate Industries Can Achieve Net Zero

As the world accelerates towards a low-carbon future, heavy industries face pressure to decarbonize their operations. A joint report by ABB Motion and Fraunhofer IPA, launched today, provides an insight into cutting emissions in five hard-to-abate sectors (iron and steel, cement, chemicals, mining, and oil and gas) offering practical short- and long-term solutions for businesses navigating the complex landscape of industrial decarbonization.

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The industrial sector currently accounts for approximately 29% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. The urgency for these hard-to-abate industries to adopt more sustainable practices, such as the use of alternative fuels, has never been greater.

Practical routes for emissions reduction are already available with energy efficiency and electrification playing a contributing role. Another major opportunity lies in electric drives and motors—currently, only 23%³ of the world’s industrial motors are equipped with a drive. Yet, when paired with an existing motor in applications like pumps, fans, or compressors, a drive can typically reduce power consumption up to 25%.

Chris Poynter, President of ABB Motion’s System Drives Division, said: "ABB and Fraunhofer’s report shows that the path to net zero is more than an environmental goal—it is a strategic business opportunity. Industrial decarbonization drives efficiency, cuts costs, and keeps companies ahead in sustainable innovation. By adopting electrification, energy-efficient motors and drives, and alternative technologies, industries can reduce emissions while strengthening operational competitiveness. With the report’s findings, we help industries outrun – leaner and cleaner.”

Dr. Markus Kröll, Head of Business Division Circular Economy and Carbon-Neutral Production at Fraunhofer IPA, added: “Our analysis identifies the highest emitting processes within each industrial sector, and then pinpoints technologies that can mitigate them. It focuses particularly on key solutions: the electrification of processes, heat, carbon capture, and hydrogen. There is no silver bullet for decarbonization, but there are readily available solutions. This report should make it easier for business leaders to determine the best path forward.”

Feasible actions that leaders can take in emissions reduction, which also reduce total cost of ownership, are appointed through targeted innovations across the industrial sectors mentioned in the report.

The oil and gas industry is intensifying its efforts to reduce leaks and electrify processes—key measures driving significant progress toward decarbonization. As a result, fuel consumption is reduced, leading to lower emissions from combustion. The sector is also exploring alternative fuels like hydrogen. Similarly, the iron and steel industry is adopting technologies such as direct reduced iron and electric arc furnaces, which offer lower-emissions alternatives to conventional production methods. While in the chemical industry, low-temperature applications such as heat pumps present an opportunity for efficiency gains and emission reductions. Electrification is also an option in the decarbonization journey of the mining and cement industries, where it is possible to electrify a wide range of equipment – including all new and old mining trucks, haul vehicles, belt conveyors, crushers, mills and pumps.

The ABB and Fraunhofer report shows that the journey to industrial decarbonization is complex, but actionable solutions exist today. By embracing electrification, energy-efficient technologies, and alternative fuels, industries can cut emissions while enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. The insights from this report provide a clear roadmap for businesses to drive sustainable change and promote a low-carbon future.

Read the full whitepaper here: https://new.abb.com/about/our-businesses/motion/decarbonize-your-processes-with-abb.

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. Building on over 140 years of excellence and with more than 105,000 employees worldwide, ABB optimizes how things are manufactured, moved, powered and protected. The company’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). At the heart of the energy transition, ABB helps the world’s industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. www.abb.com

ABB Motion, a global leader in motors and drives, is at the core of accelerating a more productive and sustainable future. We innovate and push the boundaries of technology to contribute to energy efficient, decarbonizing and circular solutions for customers, industries and societies. With our digitally enabled drives, motors and services we support our customers and partners to achieve better performance, safety and reliability. To help the world’s industries outrun – leaner and cleaner, we deliver motor-driven solutions for a wide range of applications in all industrial segments. Building on over 140 years of domain expertise in electric powertrains, our more than 23,000 employees across 100 countries learn and improve every day. go.abb/motion

¹ International Energy Agency, 2020. Iron and Steel Technology Roadmap: Towards more sustainable steelmaking

²Data World Bank License: CC BY-4.0

³Achieving the Paris Agreement. The vital role of high- efficiency motors and drives in reducing energy consumption.

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