District Heating Needs a Reset - and Innovation Could Be the Key

With UK climate targets looming and aging heating systems showing their limits, the future of district heating is under the spotlight. From local authorities to investors, the pressure is on to scale up low-carbon heat networks and bring older systems up to modern standards. It's a challenge - but also a moment for innovation to shine.

District heating networks are expected to play a major role in the UK's journey to net zero. While they currently serve just 2-3 pct. of the country's total heat demand, the government and the Climate Change Committee agree: that share must grow significantly - to around 20% by 2050 - if the UK is to decarbonise buildings at scale.

With new heat zoning regulations coming into effect in 2025 and over £330 million in funding committed, public and private stakeholders alike are preparing for an accelerated rollout of heat networks. These systems are particularly well-suited to dense urban areas and have the potential to deliver cost-effective, low-emission heating using everything from waste heat to large-scale heat pumps. But that's only one side of the equation.

Old pipes, high emissions, and new regulations

The reality is that many of the UK's existing networks are still gas-powered and rely on infrastructure that's decades old. According to the Competition & Markets Authority, some customers face high costs and poor service due to outdated heat centres and inefficient distribution pipes. This legacy infrastructure - much of it installed before today's efficiency standards - is now a liability, both environmentally and operationally.

That's why the UK government introduced new regulation under the 2023 Energy Act. From 2024, Ofgem will regulate heat networks, and operators will have to meet minimum technical standards and emissions limits. It's a shift that brings both accountability and opportunity.

Smarter heat networks need smarter materials

As the sector moves forward, the spotlight is increasingly falling on the materials behind the systems. Pipes, insulation, and casings - often overlooked - play a huge role in overall system performance and carbon footprint. Reducing embodied emissions in the infrastructure itself is becoming a top priority, especially for investors and councils focused on ESG performance.
One company taking a bold step in this direction is Radpol Pipes, a European supplier of pre-insulated pipe systems for district heating. Their new solution - GreenID - takes circular thinking to a new level.

Recycled, responsible, ready for the future

GreenID is a modern pre-insulated pipe system with a key difference: its protective HDPE casing is made entirely from recycled plastic, recovered and reprocessed by Radpol Pipes in-house. This closed-loop approach supports the circular economy and significantly reduces CO2 emissions - up to 1.5 tonnes less CO2 per tonne of material used, compared to conventional virgin HDPE.
Despite using recycled content, GreenID doesn't compromise on quality. It fully complies with EN 253, the European standard for district heating pipes, and offers long-term durability, with a service life of over 30 years at continuous temperatures of up to 120°C. The use of controlled in-house HDPE regranulation also ensures consistent quality, better logistics, and full traceability - all critical factors in today's procurement and audit processes.

For councils, developers, and energy companies bidding on ESG-sensitive projects, this can be a meaningful differentiator. GreenID is already being considered by several major European networks as a sustainable and cost-effective upgrade option.

"Innovation in materials is essential to achieving climate goals without compromising performance. Circular solutions - like recycled HDPE - help reduce embodied carbon and align projects with ESG requirements. For investors, this means the ability to develop heat networks with a lower carbon footprint and stronger compliance with regulations and green finance expectations. For contractors, it provides access to innovative, specification-ready solutions with proven quality - and real added value in the tendering process." - says Jarosław Żuchowski, CEO of Radpol Pipes.

A Circular pipes for cleaner heat

As the UK moves toward a zoned, regulated, and decarbonised heat future, now is the time to think beyond just switching fuels. True progress will come from upgrading the full network - from heat sources to pipes - using smarter materials and proven standards.

Radpol Pipes' GreenID is one example of how the supply chain can support that journey, combining technical compliance with genuine ESG value. For councils and developers preparing new projects - and for existing operators facing efficiency upgrades - circular infrastructure solutions like GreenID may prove to be one of the smartest long-term investments.

Radpol Pipes sp. z o.o.
Kolonia Prawiedniki 57
20-515 Lublin
Tel.: +48 81 750 01 70
e-mail: info@radpolpipes.eu

Press Officer:
Dariusz Chrzanowski
Mob. +48 507 074 449
dchrzanowski@radpolpipes.eu
https://radpolpipes.eu

Radpol Pipes is a trusted partner in building sustainable communities and industry - with fewer emissions, reduced energy losses, and increased reliability. Every meter of our pipeline systems is a step toward a sustainable energy transition, where innovation aligns with environmental responsibility. Choosing Radpol Pipes means choosing technology designed to serve future generations.

This release was published on openPR.