Overview
Many manufacturing businesses face similar challenges when considering investments in energy efficiency and process decarbonisation, including high upfront capital costs, uncertainty around payback periods, production disruption, technology integration risks, skills requirements and competing business priorities.
Yet a growing number of manufacturers are successfully implementing solutions that reduce operating costs, improve energy resilience and support net zero objectives. In sectors such as food and drink, industrial heat pumps and heat recovery technologies can reduce energy costs by 25-50% in suitable applications, while helping businesses lower emissions and improve process efficiency.
As part of the development of an Adoption & Diffusion Playbook, which aims to provide practical guidance for businesses adopting innovative technologies, these workshops will bring together manufacturers and design experts to identify what enables successful adoption in practice and how these lessons can be shared more widely across industry.
Please note that participants will need to attend both workshop sessions on the 9th and 16th of September.
About the event
Topics in scope
The discussion will focus on the adoption of technologies relevant to industrial processes below 200°C, including:
- Energy efficiency technologies
- Waste heat recovery systems
- Process optimisation and energy management systems (including artificial intelligence)
- Industrial heat pumps
- Heat electrification technologies
Key discussion themes
Participants will explore questions including:
What are the most significant barriers to adopting industrial energy efficiency and low-carbon heat technologies?
- How are businesses assessing costs, risks and return on investment?
- What technical, operational and organisational factors influence adoption decisions?
What evidence, support or incentives help build the business case for investment?
- Which technologies and approaches are delivering measurable benefits in manufacturing environments?
- What lessons can be shared from successful adoption journeys?
- What actions could Innovate UK BC and wider stakeholders take to accelerate adoption across industry?
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By taking part, you will:
- Learn from manufacturers that have already implemented energy efficiency and low-carbon heat solutions.
- Discuss practical adoption challenges with peers and sector experts.
- Gain insight into emerging technologies and implementation approaches.
- Share your experience to help inform future guidance for UK manufacturers.
- Access early findings and practical lessons emerging from the project.
- Receive recognition as a contributor to the final Adoption & Diffusion Playbook.
- Highlight successful projects or case studies that could inform future best practice guidance.
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This workshop is intended for manufacturers in the food and drinks sector with processes operating below 200°C, including businesses that:
- Have already adopted energy efficiency technologies or industrial heat pumps.
- Are actively evaluating or piloting solutions.
- Have considered adoption but faced barriers to implementation.
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9th Sep 2026, 10am-4pm: In Person Workshop
Day 1 – Understanding the challenge
Defining success
- Establish a shared vision for successful adoption of industrial energy efficiency and low-carbon heat solutions, including the outcomes, capabilities and support needed to deliver them.
Understanding barriers to adoption
- Identify and prioritise the technical, financial, operational and organisational challenges limiting the adoption of clean energy solutions in the sector.
Panel discussion
- Manufacturing and design experts share perspectives on the current adoption landscape and lessons from implementation.
-Afternoon-
Business case and industry examples
- Explore real-world examples of energy efficiency and low-carbon heat technologies, focusing on business benefits, implementation experiences and practical insights.
Exploring solutions
- Discuss potential interventions that could be done today to help accelerate adoption, and what else is needed across technology, finance, skills, information and policy.
16th Sep 2026, 10am-1pm: Virtual Workshop
Day 2 – Developing opportunities and recommendations
Reviewing insights
- Validate key findings from Day 1 and identify any additional perspectives, challenges or opportunities.
Prioritising opportunities
- Refine and prioritise the most impactful actions to support wider adoption of industrial energy efficiency and low-carbon heat solutions.
Actions for industry and government
- Identify the roles that manufacturers, technology providers, Innovate UK Business Connect and government can play in accelerating adoption.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all.
If you experience any barriers to registering, for any reason, please contact us by email: enquiries@iukbc.org.uk or phone: +44 03333 403250 and we will support your registration.