Epic Group Installs World’s First High-Temp Electric Heat Pumps For Industrial Laundry

The global fashion industry’s transition toward carbon-free manufacturing reached a major technological milestone with the installation of the world’s first high-temperature electric heat pumps designed to power an industrial laundry. The innovation formed part of Epic Group’s new state-of-the-art apparel manufacturing hub in Bhubaneswar, India, operated by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Trimetro Garments India Private Limited.

The plant, which began commercial production on December 1, 2025, was engineered to run as a fully net-zero carbon facility supported by onsite and offsite solar generation combined with battery storage.

Industrial heat had long remained one of the most challenging aspects of decarbonizing the textile supply chain. While biomass provided a partial solution, long-term decarbonization required the electrification of heat-intensive manufacturing processes.

Heat pumps offered the most energy-efficient electrical heating technology available, often producing two or more units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. However, conventional heat pumps typically generated hot water at around 90°C, insufficient for powering industrial dryers that relied on pressurized steam exceeding 150°C.

To bridge this gap, TRIGeN Decarbonisation Pvt. Ltd., an Indian DeepTech startup, developed advanced heat pumps capable of producing pressurized hot water at 135°C, specifically engineered for Epic Group’s laundry operations. This technological leap made Epic Group the first in the world to deploy electric heat pumps capable of delivering a thermal lift of 125°C, a capability achieved by only a handful of companies globally. In parallel, Italian machinery specialist Tonello S.r.l. reconfigured its industrial dryers to operate efficiently using 130°C pressurized hot water, ensuring seamless integration with the new heat pump system.

In addition to producing high-temperature heat, the heat pumps generated cooling as a byproduct, which Epic Group utilized to improve working conditions inside the laundry facility. The cooled air helped maintain comfortable temperatures for employees, even during extreme heatwaves, reinforcing the company’s commitment to worker welfare.

Epic Group’s fully self-funded pilot project aimed to demystify heat pump adoption while evaluating its capital and operational implications. Transitioning thermal processes from fossil fuels to heat pumps required significant investment in upgraded electrical infrastructure, including larger transformers, strengthened switchgear systems and enhanced backup power supported by renewable electricity sources. Over its lifetime, the pilot was expected to displace 12,500 metric tonnes of CO₂, marking a substantial step toward the company’s long-term sustainability goals.

Dinesh Virwani, Executive Vice Chairman of Epic Group, highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “Epic Group is firmly committed to decarbonizing our operations and contributing to industry-wide efforts. This pilot’s success will pave the way for broader adoption of heat pumps within the fashion 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.”

Ashish Sethi, CEO of TRIGeN Decarbonisation Pvt. Ltd., noted, “We were thrilled to realize this project with Epic Group. We spent a year developing a prototype tailored to Epic’s specific requirements and conducting multiple trials to ensure optimal performance. This collaboration marked a milestone for us as we supported the fashion industry’s transition toward decarbonization.”

Alice Tonello, R&D and Marketing Manager of Tonello S.r.l., added, “Our partnership with Epic Group was rooted in a shared commitment to sustainability and value creation. We were 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.”