Trade body warns UK ‘importing energy it doesn’t need’ due to industrial heat loss

The UK is missing a major opportunity to cut emissions and reduce reliance on energy imports by failing to tackle industrial heat loss, according to a new white paper published by the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA).

At a time when national policy is focused on energy security, affordability and the transition to net zero, the trade body argues that thermal insulation is an immediate and cost-effective solution.

Across manufacturing plants and processing facilities, significant amounts of heat are lost every day from uninsulated or poorly insulated pipes, ducting, valves and equipment – wasted energy that drives up costs and emissions, while increasing reliance on imported supply.

Chris Ridge, TICA’s Technical Director, said: “The heat lost from one single uninsulated valve can equal the energy needed to power an electric car for 12,000 miles. Multiply that across many thousands of industrial and commercial sites, and it’s impossible to ignore the scale of the problem in the UK.”

Meanwhile, analysis from the European Industrial Insulation Foundation (EiiF) has identified potential emission reductions of 3,480 kilotonnes of CO₂ and energy savings of 1,183 kilotonnes of oil equivalent across Europe – comparable to an annual energy use of more than 863,000 households or 1.7 million cars.

The white paper positions thermal insulation as a “no-regrets” solution, with many projects paying for themselves within months and most within two years.

In addition, TICA is urging the introduction of minimum thermal insulation performance standards, including BS EN 17956 Energy Efficiency Class C for new industrial installations and, where feasible, for existing assets, to create a consistent baseline for energy efficiency across industry.

Ridge added: “We are locking in inefficiency by failing to act. This is one of the simplest, fastest and most cost-effective ways to cut energy use and emissions. It must be treated as a first-line solution, rather than an afterthought.”

TICA, which produced the white paper in collaboration with EiiF and Kaizen Energy Consultancy,  is encouraging its members and interested parties to engage with their local MPs to build awareness and support for change, warning that the UK risks falling behind European countries already moving to capture energy savings.

To view the white paper click here.