Heat-pump innovation to drive Epic’s net-zero laundry
A partnership between Italian machinery company Tonello, denim and clothing manufacturer Epic Group and an Indian start-up has produced a heat pump that will be used to power one of Epic’s new laundries in India, helping the garment hub to operate as a net-zero site.
Typically, heat pumps generate hot water at around 95°C, which is too low for industrial dryers, which need 150°C. TRIGeN Decarbonisation has developed a heat pump capable of generating pressurised hot water at 130°C and Tonello has adapted its machineryto fit.
Trimetro Garments India, Epic Group’s fully owned subsidiary in Bhubaneswar, will commence commercial production on December 1, 2025.
The facility is designed to operate as a net-zero carbon site, powered by onsite and offsite solar systems coupled with battery storage.
Heat pumps, which use electricity to generate heat via refrigerants, produce heat at twice or more the efficiency of electric boilers. An additional benefit is their ability to produce cooling as a byproduct, said the partners. This cooling will improve comfort for workers.
Dinesh Virwani, executive vice-chairman of Epic Group, said: “This pilot’s success will pave the way for broader adoption of heat pumps within the industry. Early adopters will set a pathway for others, leading to lower costs at scale. This is one of our innovative contributions to industry sustainability.”
Alice Tonello, R&D and marketing manager of Tonello, added: “We’re proud to contribute our advanced dryers, designed to perform efficiently while being powered by heat pumps, supporting Epic’s low-carbon and water-saving strategies.”
This summer, Epic announced a joint-venture with India-based Creative Group for a new denim and bottoms factory with a production capacity of 700,000 units per month. The partners have invested $15 million, with plans to bring this to $60 million (Rs 500 crores) in the future.
