Spray Drying Equipment Market (2026 - 2033) Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Rotary Atomizers, Pressure Nozzle Atomizers), By Flow (Co-Current, Mixed), By Capacity, By Cycle (Open, Closed), By Application (Food & Beverage), By Region, And Segment Forecasts

Spray Drying Equipment Market Summary

The global spray drying equipment market size was valued at USD 6.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 6.9 billion in 2026 to USD 11.0 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2026 to 2033. The market in Asia Pacific dominated with a revenue share of 41.9% in 2025. The industry is driven by rising demand for powdered and shelf-stable products across the food, dairy, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. 

Increasing production of milk powders, infant formula, instant beverages, protein ingredients, APIs, and nutraceuticals is accelerating investments in high-capacity and precision spray drying systems. The growth is also supported by the increasing adoption of energy-efficient and automated drying technologies. Manufacturers are investing in multi-stage systems, closed-cycle dryers, and advanced process control solutions to improve product quality, reduce energy consumption, and meet stringent environmental and safety regulations. Growing demand for solvent recovery and specialized powder engineering in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical applications is further boosting market expansion.

Market Dynamics

Market Concentration & Characteristics

The industry is fragmented, with the presence of numerous global and regional manufacturers competing across food, pharmaceutical, dairy, chemical, and specialty processing applications. While major companies such as GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, SPX FLOW, ANDRITZ AG, and Tetra Pak International S.A. maintain strong positions in large-scale and technologically advanced systems, a significant number of regional players offer cost-competitive and customized spray drying solutions, particularly across the Asia Pacific and emerging markets.

The spray drying equipment market is experiencing continuous innovation driven by the growing need for higher process efficiency, improved powder functionality, and advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. Manufacturers operating in the spray dryer market are increasingly focusing on technologies such as automated process controls, multi-stage drying systems, precision atomization, and closed-loop configurations to enhance operational performance and product consistency. In July 2025, Aenova Group introduced a new pharmaceutical spray drying platform at its Ireland facility to support advanced drug formulation and inhalation powder development, reflecting the increasing industry emphasis on high-value pharmaceutical applications.

Regulatory compliance remains a major factor influencing the market, particularly in pharmaceutical, food, and specialty chemical manufacturing. Companies are increasingly required to meet strict standards related to product hygiene, containment, solvent handling, emissions, and workplace safety. As sustainability regulations and energy efficiency targets continue to strengthen globally, demand is rising for low-emission, energy-efficient, and solvent-recovery spray drying systems that help manufacturers improve compliance while reducing operational risks and environmental impact.

The industry shows high end-user concentration, with demand primarily generated by large food & dairy processors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and industrial chemical producers. High-capacity spray drying installations are largely concentrated among multinational dairy companies, nutrition product manufacturers, and pharmaceutical production facilities due to their large-scale processing requirements and long-term capital investment strategies.

Type Insights

Rotary atomizers (centrifugal) dominated the market in 2025 and accounted for 43.1% share, owing to their extensive adoption in large-scale food, dairy, and detergent manufacturing applications. These systems are widely preferred for high-capacity continuous production due to their ability to handle large feed volumes, deliver uniform particle distribution, and support stable industrial operations. Increasing global demand for milk powder, infant formula, instant beverages, and bulk powdered ingredients further strengthened the adoption of rotary centrifugal spray dryers across major processing industries.

Pressure nozzle atomizers are projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period due to increasing demand from pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and specialty chemical industries requiring precise particle engineering and controlled powder characteristics. These systems offer improved droplet size control, better product consistency, and suitability for high-value formulations such as APIs, inhalation drugs, and microencapsulated ingredients.

Flow Insights

Co-current flow systems dominated the market in 2025 due to their extensive use in different industries. In co-current systems, hot air and sprayed droplets move in the same direction, enabling rapid moisture evaporation while minimizing thermal exposure to the final product. This configuration is widely preferred for products such as milk powder, infant formula, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical ingredients where product stability, color retention, and nutritional quality are critical. Its operational simplicity and compatibility with large-scale industrial production further supported its dominant market position.

Mixed flow systems are expected to witness the fastest growth at 8.5% CAGR during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for advanced powder engineering, improved thermal efficiency, and enhanced moisture control. These systems combine the advantages of co-current and counter-current airflow configurations, enabling better process flexibility and optimized particle characteristics. Growing adoption in specialty food ingredients, pharmaceuticals, and high-value chemical applications requiring customized powder properties and higher process efficiency is anticipated to drive the expansion of mixed flow spray drying technologies globally.

Capacity Insights

Large-scale spray drying systems with capacities above 2,000 Kg/Hr dominated the market in 2025 due to strong demand from large food & dairy processors, detergent manufacturers, and industrial chemical producers. These systems are widely used for high-volume continuous production of milk powder, infant formula, coffee, and bulk powdered ingredients, supported by increasing investments in industrial-scale processing facilities globally. Their ability to deliver higher throughput, operational efficiency, and lower production costs per unit further strengthened their market leadership.

Medium-scale spray drying systems are witnessing steady growth owing to increasing adoption among regional food manufacturers, nutraceutical companies, and specialty chemical producers. These systems offer a balance between production flexibility and capital investment, making them suitable for mid-sized manufacturing operations and diversified product portfolios. Growing demand for customized powder formulations, functional food ingredients, and regional pharmaceutical production is expected to support the continued expansion of the medium-scale capacity segment.

Cycle Insights

Open cycle systems dominated the industry and accounted for 78.4% share in 2025, owing to their extensive adoption across food, dairy, and water-based chemical processing applications. These systems utilize atmospheric air for drying and are widely preferred due to their lower operational complexity, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for large-scale continuous production. Increasing demand for milk powder, instant beverages, nutritional ingredients, and detergent powders further supported the large-scale deployment of open-cycle spray drying systems globally.

Closed cycle systems are expected to witness the fastest growth at 8.1% CAGR during the forecast period, driven by rising demand from pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, and solvent-based processing industries. These systems use inert gases such as nitrogen to safely process flammable or hazardous feed materials while enabling solvent recovery and improved environmental compliance.

Application Insights

The food & beverage segment, including dairy applications, dominated the industry in 2025 with a share of 46.1%, due to the large-scale production of milk powder, infant formula, instant coffee, protein ingredients, flavors, and nutritional products. Rising global demand for shelf-stable and powdered food products, particularly across emerging economies, has significantly increased investments in high-capacity spray drying systems.

The pharmaceutical segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period due to the rising use of spray drying technologies in APIs, inhalation drugs, biologics, and nutraceutical formulations. Increasing focus on particle engineering, bioavailability enhancement, and advanced drug delivery systems is accelerating demand for high-precision spray drying equipment.

Regional Insights

North America spray drying equipment market accounted for a significant share in 2025, supported by strong pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, advanced food processing infrastructure, and increasing adoption of automated industrial processing technologies. Growing demand for nutraceutical products, specialty ingredients, and energy-efficient spray drying systems continued to drive equipment modernization and technological upgrades across the region.

U.S. Spray Drying Equipment Market Trends

The U.S. spray drying equipment industry is supported by strong dairy processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food ingredient industries. Rising demand for milk powders, protein ingredients, nutraceuticals, and specialty pharmaceutical formulations continues to drive investments in advanced spray drying technologies across the country.

Asia Pacific Spray Drying Equipment Market Trends

The spray drying equipment industry in Asia Pacific dominated in 2025 and accounted for 41.9% share, owing to the rapid expansion of food processing, dairy manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, and specialty chemical industries across China, India, and Japan. Rising investments in industrial-scale manufacturing facilities, increasing consumption of powdered nutritional products, and growing export-oriented food processing activities significantly supported market growth across the region.

China spray drying equipment market is driven by the rapid expansion of food processing, specialty chemical manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production industries. Increasing demand for powdered nutritional products, dairy ingredients, instant beverages, and industrial chemicals has accelerated investments in large-scale spray drying facilities across the country. In addition, strong manufacturing capabilities and rising adoption of automated industrial processing technologies continue to support market expansion in China.

The spray drying equipment market in India is emerging as a high-growth market supported by strong expansion in dairy processing, food manufacturing, and pharmaceutical production activities. Rising demand for milk powder, nutritional supplements, instant food ingredients, and pharmaceutical formulations is increasing investments in medium and large-scale spray drying systems across the country.

Europe Spray Drying Equipment Market Trends

The spray drying equipment industry in Europe maintained a notable presence due to its well-established dairy industry, stringent product quality standards, and strong focus on sustainable manufacturing practices. Increasing investments in energy-efficient drying technologies, pharmaceutical formulation development, and advanced powder processing applications supported steady demand for spray drying equipment across countries such as Germany, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

Germany spray drying equipment market is supported by its strong pharmaceutical, food processing, and industrial manufacturing sectors. The country has a well-established base of process engineering companies and advanced manufacturing facilities that continue to invest in energy-efficient and automated spray drying technologies. Growing demand for functional food ingredients, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceutical formulations is further driving the adoption of high-performance spray drying systems across the German market.

The spray drying equipment market in the UK is witnessing steady growth driven by increasing pharmaceutical R&D activities, nutraceutical production, and expanding demand for specialty food ingredients. Rising investments in advanced drug formulation technologies, including inhalation therapies and bioavailability enhancement applications, are supporting demand for precision spray drying systems. In addition, growing focus on process innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices is contributing to market expansion across the country.

Middle East & Africa Spray Drying Equipment Market Trends

The spray drying equipment industry in The Middle East & Africa is witnessing gradual growth, driven by expanding food processing activities, increasing investments in dairy production, and rising demand for packaged nutritional products. Growth in pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and industrial diversification initiatives across Gulf countries also contributed to the adoption of spray drying technologies within the region.

Saudi Arabia spray drying equipment market is witnessing gradual growth, supported by increasing investments in food processing, dairy production, and pharmaceutical manufacturing under the country’s industrial diversification initiatives. Rising demand for packaged nutritional products, dairy ingredients, and specialty food formulations is encouraging the adoption of advanced processing technologies, including spray drying systems.

Latin America Spray Drying Equipment Market Trends

The spray drying equipment industry in Latin America is experiencing steady growth, supported by increasing dairy production, expanding food ingredient manufacturing, and rising demand for processed food products across countries, including Brazil and Argentina. Growing agricultural processing activities and gradual industrial modernization further supported demand for medium- and large-scale spray drying systems in the region.

Brazil spray drying equipment market is experiencing steady growth, driven by expanding dairy production, food ingredient manufacturing, and agricultural processing industries. Increasing demand for powdered dairy products, instant beverages, nutritional ingredients, and processed food products is supporting investments in medium- and large-scale spray drying systems across the country.

Key Spray Drying Equipment Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, SPX FLOW (ITT Inc.), and ANDRITZ.

• GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is one of the leading global suppliers of process engineering and industrial equipment solutions for the food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, and marine industries. The company offers a broad portfolio of spray drying systems, separation technologies, heating and refrigeration solutions, and automation platforms designed to improve production efficiency and product quality. GEA has a strong global presence with extensive expertise in large-scale spray drying applications, particularly for dairy powders, infant nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and specialty ingredients, making it one of the most prominent players in the global spray drying equipment market.

• SPX FLOW is a global provider of process solutions and industrial equipment serving the food & beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, chemical, and industrial processing sectors. Through its Anhydro brand, the company offers advanced spray drying systems, fluid bed dryers, evaporation technologies, and automation solutions designed for high-efficiency powder production applications. In 2026, SPX FLOW officially joined ITT Flow Technologies following ITT’s acquisition of the company, strengthening its engineering capabilities and expanding its process technology portfolio across global industrial processing markets.

Key Spray Drying Equipment Companies

The following key companies have been profiled for this study on the spray drying equipment market.

• GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

• SPX FLOW (ITT Inc.)

• ANDRITZ 

• Tetra Pak International S.A.

• BÜCHI Labortechnik AG

• SiccaDania

• European SprayDry Technologies

• Yamato Scientific co., ltd. 

• Shandong Tianli Energy Co., Ltd

• SSP Pvt. Ltd

• Advanced Drying Systems

• Swenson Technology, Inc.

• Changzhou Lemar Drying Engineering Co., Ltd.

• Shanghai Pilotech Instrument & Equipment Co., Ltd

• Glatt GmbH

Competitive Benchmarking

Recent Developments

• In February 2026, SPX FLOW officially joined ITT Flow Technologies following ITT’s acquisition of the company to strengthen its global process technologies platform. The integration expands ITT’s presence across industrial, food, dairy, chemical, and health-related processing markets. The combined platform is expected to enhance engineering capabilities, aftermarket services, and process technology solutions across global manufacturing industries.

• In April 2026, ANDRITZ AG launched a new modular small-scale spray dryer range for pilot-scale production, product development, and industrial testing applications. The systems support evaporation capacities from 5 to 250 kg/hr and offer flexible single-stage and multi-stage configurations.

Spray Drying Equipment Market Report Scope

Global Spray Drying Equipment Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global spray drying equipment market report based on type, flow, capacity, cycle, application, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Rotary Atomizers (Centrifugal)

  • Pressure Nozzle Atomizers

  • Two-Fluid / Pneumatic Nozzle Atomizers

  • Others

• Flow Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Co-Current

  • Counter-Current

  • Mixed

• Capacity Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Small-Scale (Below 500 Kg/Hr)

  • Medium-Scale (500-2,000 Kg/Hr)

  • Large-Scale (Above 2,000 Kg/Hr)

• Cycle Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Open

  • Closed

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • Food & Beverage

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Chemicals

  • Animal Feed

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2021 - 2033)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • UK

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • South Africa

    • UAE

Delivered Customizations

This report has been delivered with the following In-depth customizations