Press release
In Troyes, Epyr and WEPA inaugurate the first French unit for the electrification of industrial heat using thermal storage
Troyes - May 29, 2026
The start-up Epyr and the WEPA group inaugurate, on the paper mill site in Troyes, the first thermal storage unit dedicated to the electrification of industrial heat in France, in the presence of François Baroin, mayor of Troyes and president of Troyes Champagne Métropole.
This inauguration marks the realization of a shared ambition between Epyr and its industrial partner WEPA: electrifying heat at a competitive cost, at pace, and in service of European energy sovereignty. This project was funded by the French State as part of France 2030 operated by ADEME.
A national first: from concept to commissioning in less than six months
Epyr's unit is the first French installation combining power-to-heat and thermal storage on an industrial scale. It demonstrates that a disruptive technology can decarbonize industrial heat at a cost competitive with gas, without any disruption to industrial processes.
Designed, built and commissioned in under six months, the installation also sets a benchmark for industrial execution, paving the way for large-scale deployment of industrial electrification. After three months of commercial operations, the Epyr unit covers one quarter of WEPA's steam requirements at the Troyes site, marking a founding milestone in the deployment of this technology across Europe.
A competitive, low-carbon technology serving the electricity system
Epyr's technology produces heat from low-carbon electricity, stores it in a ceramic core, and releases it as steam. Electricity consumption is concentrated during periods of high renewable energy production and low prices, thus reducing the impact of fossil fuel price fluctuations on industrial users.
The unit also offers the electricity system a new flexibility tool by participating in RTE's reserve markets, whose balancing needs are growing with the rise of renewables. Epyr thus combines the protection of industrial competitiveness with the strengthening of energy sovereignty.
"The combination of simple technical principles results in an extraordinarily efficient solution for industrial sectors. It is remarkable that WEPA always seeks to conserve resources. I congratulate Epyr on this success, which paves the way for numerous developments for French industry."
François Baroin, Mayor of Troyes and President of Troyes Champagne Métropole
"Today we are witnessing a historic first, marked by innovation, reindustrialisation, and the ecological transition of our country. Epyr is a project awarded under the France 2030 investment plan, as part of the DEMIBaC programme, which supports innovation projects covering all processes and technologies for the decarbonisation of industry."
Franck Dorge, Secretary General of the Aube Prefecture, Sub-Prefect of Troyes
Towards a French industrial heat electrification sector
The thermal storage unit is part of the WEPA group's decarbonization strategy and will significantly reduce emissions from the Troyes site.
Building on this initial reference, Epyr confirms that several additional deployments are under consideration, with announcements expected in the second half of 2026. The company is primarily targeting industrial steam, a segment representing more than 90 TWh per year in France and several thousand sites, mainly in paper, food processing and chemicals.
Supported by France's nuclear and renewable electricity, this trajectory offers industrial users a reliable, low-carbon and competitive supply. Epyr is thus contributing to the emergence of a French and European industrial electrification sector.
"The reason we turned to Epyr's solution was its promise of fast, seamless decarbonisation for site operations. Today, that promise has been kept: in under six months, with zero disruption to our production, the installation is fully operational and helps us to implement our decarbonisation strategy."
François Roposte, Mill Manager of the WEPA site in France.
“his success is owed to WEPA's pioneering trust, having supported Epyr since 2024 and opened their Troyes site to our technology. This inauguration is only a starting point: it paves the way for large-scale deployment of our technology, in service of the decarbonization and energy sovereignty of French and European industry.”
Léa Dardenne and Bastien Oggeri, co-founders of Epyr
About Epyr
Epyr develops innovative thermal storage solutions to help industrial companies move away from fossil fuels. By making high-temperature, carbon-free industrial heat competitive and easy to deploy, Epyr aims to accelerate the energy transition and reduce global emissions. Founded in 2024 by Bastien Oggeri, entrepreneur and co-founder of Innovafeed (French Tech Next40), and Léa Dardenne, former partner at the Boston Consulting Group specializing in energy and climate, Epyr now has around fifteen employees.
About WEPA
With its products, the WEPA Group ensures the well-being and hygiene of millions of people in Europe every day. A forward-thinking family business, it employs more than 4,500 people across 15 European production sites. WEPA is one of the top three manufacturers of toilet paper in Europe, an expert in production using recycled fibers, with annual sales exceeding €1.9 billion.
