Fluidized beds are commonly used for solid processing. Required heat is usually transferred by conduction via the gas flow or by particle-wall contact with immersed steam-heated tubes. Both variants possess limitations with respect to maximum gas temperature or contact area. In this work, heating of fluidized beds by induction is investigated. This is realized by co-fluidization of conductive but chemically inert particles, yielding large moving heat transfer areas. The focus lies on the experimental study of the impact of the electro-magnetic field on fluidization behavior. Studied process parameters are induction power, air velocity, particle diameter, inert coating, and the ratio of conductive to nonconductive materials. Moreover, the time response of temperature to changes in the induction power is investigated. The obtained results show very fast temperature response. The most important factor influencing the fluidization behavior is the induction power which can cause strong fluctuations of the pressure drop which at high energy inputs changes the fluidization regime from bubbling to slugging regime. This can be prevented using a pulsating magnetic field or insulation of the conductive material with a coating. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.