A new industrial boiler, dubbed “Choc,” capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 90%, is slated for commercialization in 2026, according to a presentation to the press on June 25, 2025. The development is a collaborative effort involving 16 French actors, including Engie Solutions and TotalEnergies.
The project addresses a critical need for decarbonizing the industrial sector, where nearly 75% of thermal needs are still met by fossil fuels, according to Engie. Pierre Cheyron, Vice-President Marketing and Development Industry at Engie, emphasized France’s advantageous position in accelerating industrial decarbonization due to its largely decarbonized electricity mix.
“Choc” utilizes oxycombustion technology and an integrated carbon capture and liquefaction system. This allows for the recovery of CO2 directly from the boiler’s exhaust, preventing its release into the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can then be utilized or sequestered by industries such as agrofood, chemistry, and materials production, the consortium stated.
Cheyron highlighted the broader benefits of this approach, stating that mobilizing flexibility in energy usage allows industries to contribute to the stability of the electrical system while simultaneously leveraging local, competitive, and low-carbon energy sources. “This approach allows us to combine economic performance, system resilience and a decarbonization trajectory,” he said.
The 3 MW demonstrator unit is currently operational at the ENGIE Solutions France site in Villers-Saint-Paul, in the Oise region. The consortium estimates that industrial boilers account for 23% of total emissions from the French industrial sector. The project received 1.1 million euros in support from the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe).
Engie is also involved in initiatives to decarbonize energy use in the Middle East, as highlighted at the COP28 conference in Dubai in November 2023. Pierre Cheyron, Managing Director for Africa, the Middle East and Asia at ENGIE Energy Solutions, has emphasized the manufacturing sector’s role in a sustainable future.
The “Choc” boiler is intended for use in industries like chemistry and agroalimentaire. According to LinkedIn posts from Pierre Cheyron, the technology offers a competitive economic advantage, with costs comparable to biomass and up to 40% lower than electricity.
