De Halve Maan: smart cooling
30 September 2026De Halve Maan: smart cooling
30 September 2026
Process cooling and heat recovery for maximum efficiency
At De Halve Maan brewery in Bruges, growth and sustainability go hand in hand. When expanding its bottling plant, the brewery was not only looking for additional process cooling capacity, but also for ways to further optimise its energy consumption. Equans developed an integrated process cooling and heat recovery system that reuses residual heat within the production process. This enables De Halve Maan to combine reliable cooling with higher energy efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions.
More value from energy and installations
De Halve Maan souhaitait augmenter sa capacité de production sans faire progresser sa consommation d’énergie dans les mêmes proportions. La brasserie voulait également réduire sa dépendance aux sources d’énergie externes, diminuer ses émissions de CO₂ et mieux valoriser l’énergie déjà disponible sur son site. Le défi consistait à ne plus gérer les flux de chaud et de froid séparément, mais à les aborder comme un seul système énergétique intégré.
De Halve Maan wanted to expand its production capacity without increasing energy consumption at the same pace. At the same time, the brewery wanted to reduce its dependence on external energy sources, lower its CO₂ emissions and extract more value from the energy already available on site. The challenge was to stop managing heating and cooling flows separately and approach them as one integrated energy system instead.
Process cooling combined with heat recovery
Equans analysed the brewery’s complete energy system and designed an integrated solution in which process cooling and heat recovery reinforce each other. The installation includes a 300 kW ammonia refrigeration system, a secondary glycol circuit and a heat recovery system that valorises residual heat from the cooling process. This heat is used for the warm room for bottle refermentation and for building heating. Thanks to monitoring, maintenance and high-performance control, the installation also remains reliable and future-ready.
Lower costs, fewer emissions, greater efficiency
Today, De Halve Maan makes maximum use of the residual heat available on its site. This results in lower operational energy costs, reduced dependence on fossil energy and lower CO₂ emissions. At the same time, the installation guarantees reliable process cooling, higher energy efficiency and scalable energy infrastructure that supports further growth.
Frequently asked questions about energy systems
Do you have any questions about energy systems and our related services? We’re here to explain everything clearly and in a way that’s easy to understand.
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for?
Many industrial processes generate heat that is often lost without being used. By reusing this energy, the site’s total energy consumption decreases. This leads to lower costs and a smaller CO₂ footprint.
No, medium-sized industrial sites often also have valuable heating and cooling flows. The potential savings depend on the process and the energy demand. An analysis of the energy flows quickly identifies where the opportunities lie.
Our experts first analyse the heating, cooling and energy flows within the production environment. Based on these insights, we identify where energy is being lost and where valorisation is possible. We then design a solution aligned with the site’s operational needs.
On the contrary, both systems are designed as an integrated solution so they reinforce each other. The primary function of the cooling installation remains guaranteed. Monitoring and high-performance control ensure maximum operational reliability.
In many cases, yes. Technical feasibility depends on the existing installation and the available heating needs on site. During an audit, Equans assesses the integration opportunities that are available.
By making better use of available energy, the need for additional heat production decreases. This reduces the use of fossil fuels and lowers CO₂ emissions. At the same time, the energy efficiency of the entire site increases.
Equans combines expertise in process cooling, heat recovery, energy management and industrial processes. Customers have one partner for consultancy, engineering, implementation and maintenance. This results in an integrated solution that brings together operational performance and sustainability.
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