Klinger targets ‘boom’ in the district heating market

Gumpoldskirchen, Austria – Klinger Fluid Control is gearing up to meet a surge in demand for its valves and related sealing products due to an ongoing expansion of district heating networks in German-speaking countries and beyond.

“This means an enormous sales potential for the next 10 years, provided we can supply the required volumes quickly enough,” said Sven Baumgartner, head of sales & marketing at Klinger Fluid Control.

District heating accounts for around 25% of sales at Klinger, which now aims “to make inroads” in underground pipework networks that channel heat energy from producer to consumer.

“We’ve not been active in this market yet, but we have developed a new product portfolio… which is tailored precisely to the needs of district heating networks,” said Baumgartner.

These developments include a zero-maintenance design with double stem-sealing unit comprising a flat gasket and two high-temperature resistant, optimally chambered fluoroelastomer O-rings.

“Availability is everything in district heating,” continued Baumgartner. “That’s why [Klinger is] designing its production processes with future market developments in mind.”

“We are currently building up our stock and will then be ready to go when the projects kick off at scale,” the sales & marketing leader added in a 27 March press statement.

As well as German-speaking areas, he said, Klinger wants to enter the French market, “which holds major growth potential. Plus, we have identified opportunities in some eastern European markets, such as Poland and Hungary.”

The European district heating sector is forecast to grow at around 2.5% per annum between 2024 and 2032 to reach a value of about €143 billion within this eight-year period, according to Klinger.