The paper industry is, with about 6% of the total worldwide industrial energy use, an energy-intensive industry. The drying section is with approximately 50% the largest energy consumer in a paper mill, energy use in this section is mainly heat use. Several options to decrease heat use in conventional multi-cylinder drying sections are investigated, calculating the effect on energy use. Optimization measures include a) decreasing the amount of water evaporation by applying additives in higher consistencies and by lowering the water viscosity, b) decreasing the heat use of water evaporation by increasing the dew point temperature of the dryer and c) increasing the amount of heat recovery by using exhaust air to not only pre-heat the incoming air but also to increase process water temperatures. These could all be achieved by retrofitting and/or choosing different processing conditions in existing factories. The combined thermal heat saving potential due to the optimization actions is 1.3 GJh/t paper (or 32% of the drying section's heat use) as compared to the reference situation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.