• In April 2022, Lone Star Funds completed a 3.8 billion acquisition of SPX Flow Inc., incorporating its leading spray‑drying technology into their portfolio to drive innovation in processing solutions.

• In June 2022, Dedert Corporation unveiled a new spray‑drying & evaporation plant for EverGrain, boosting capacity for plant‑based protein powders and strengthening their manufacturing footprint.

In this report, the Spray Drying Equipment Market has been segmented by Type, Operating Principle, Capacity, Source, Application, and Geography.

Spray Drying Equipment Market, Segmentation by Type

The Spray Drying Equipment Market has been segmented by Type into Probiotics, Rotary Atomizers, Nozzle Atomizers, Fluidized, Centrifugal, and Closed Loop.

Probiotics
The use of spray drying equipment for probiotics has grown significantly due to its effectiveness in preserving live cultures during processing. About 25% of producers opt for this method to ensure longer shelf life and optimal microbial stability, especially in health supplements and dairy applications.

Rotary Atomizers
Rotary atomizers dominate roughly 30% of the spray drying equipment market, thanks to their high throughput and ability to create consistent powder quality. They are commonly employed in the food processing and chemical sectors for mass production needs.

Nozzle Atomizers
Representing nearly 20% of usage, nozzle atomizers are valued for their precise droplet control and are well-suited for larger particle size production. These systems are frequently adopted in dairy processing and detergent manufacturing due to their flexibility and cost-efficiency.

Fluidized
Fluidized bed spray dryers comprise about 10% of the market and are best known for efficient drying of temperature-sensitive substances. They are particularly effective for producing free-flowing granules in both food and pharma-grade materials.

Centrifugal
With a market share of nearly 8%, centrifugal spray dryers are designed for rapid drying with fine particle distribution. These machines are favored in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries for their reliability and precision.

Closed Loop
Closed loop systems account for roughly 7% and are essential for handling volatile or flammable solvents. These systems ensure safe operations while maintaining environmental standards, especially in chemical and specialty product manufacturing.

Spray Drying Equipment Market, Segmentation by Operating Principle

The Spray Drying Equipment Market has been segmented by Operating Principle into Direct Drying and Indirect Drying.

Direct Drying
Direct drying dominates nearly 65% of the spray drying equipment market due to its superior thermal efficiency and rapid moisture removal. This operating principle is extensively used in the production of food ingredients, dairy powders, and chemicals where quick drying is essential.

Indirect Drying
Accounting for about 35% of the market, indirect drying is essential for processing materials that are sensitive to direct heat exposure. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, offering a contamination-free drying environment and improved product integrity.

Spray Drying Equipment Market, Segmentation by Capacity

The Spray Drying Equipment Market has been segmented by Capacity (Up to 2 Tons/Hr.), Medium (2 to 50 Tons/Hr.), and Large (More than 50 Tons/Hr.).

Small (Up to 2 Tons/Hr.)
Holding close to 20% market share, small-capacity spray drying systems are best suited for laboratories, pilot-scale production, and custom product development. They are preferred in pharmaceutical R&D and niche food innovation environments that demand flexibility and precision.

Medium (2 to 50 Tons/Hr.)
Representing the largest share at around 55%, medium-capacity dryers offer the perfect blend of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and output. These units are widely adopted in dairy processing, beverage production, and nutritional formulations, supporting growing demand across various global markets.

Large (More than 50 Tons/Hr.)
Comprising approximately 25% of the global market, large-capacity spray dryers are engineered for mass production in high-demand industries. They are indispensable in sectors like agrochemicals, bulk food manufacturing, and industrial chemicals, where uninterrupted throughput is critical.

Spray Drying Equipment Market, Segmentation by Source

The Spray Drying Equipment Market has been segmented by Natural, and Synthetic.

Natural
Comprising nearly 60% of the spray drying equipment market, natural formulations are gaining rapid popularity due to rising consumer preference for clean-label and organic products. Spray dryers in this segment are primarily utilized to produce natural food powders, botanical extracts, and nutritional supplements, particularly in the nutraceutical, food, and personal care industries.

Synthetic
Representing close to 40% of the market, synthetic spray drying is essential for applications requiring precise chemical composition, stability, and longevity. This segment is dominant in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and chemical intermediates, where consistency and large-scale production are key.

Spray Drying Equipment Market, Segmentation by Application

The Spray Drying Equipment Market has been segmented by Application into Food and Beverages.

Food
The food segment commands approximately 60% of the spray drying equipment market, fueled by growing demand for powdered food ingredients such as dairy, egg, and flavor compounds. Spray drying provides enhanced shelf life, consistent particle structure, and scalability for large-scale food processing.

Beverages
Holding about 40% market share, the beverage segment benefits from spray drying technologies used in producing instant drinks, powdered juices, and coffee. This method improves solubility, extends product shelf life, and ensures efficient packaging and transport of powdered beverages.

Spray Drying Equipment Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Spray Drying Equipment Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Spray Drying Equipment Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America
Capturing roughly 30% of the global market, North America’s spray drying equipment segment thrives on robust demand from pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. Strong R&D infrastructure and a focus on innovation make the U.S. a significant contributor.

Europe
With a market share close to 28%, Europe stands out for its high adoption of spray drying in dairy, cosmetics, and nutraceutical applications. The region benefits from strict regulatory compliance and investments in sustainable processing technologies.

Asia Pacific
Dominating with a 32% share, the Asia Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for spray drying equipment. Rapid industrialization in China, India, and Southeast Asia boosts demand across sectors including F&B, pharmaceuticals, and personal care.

Middle East and Africa
Though currently holding only 5%, the Middle East and Africa region shows steady growth due to emerging demand in processed food, dairy, and healthcare. Investment in industrial automation is also gaining traction.

Latin America
Accounting for nearly 5% of the global market, Latin America is witnessing growth driven by agriculture-based industries, nutraceutical processing, and instant beverage manufacturing, with Brazil and Mexico being regional leaders.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Spray Drying Equipment Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Ongoing Breakthroughs in Technology Advancements
• Rising Global Demand for Solutions

• Expanding Use in Pharmaceutical Applications - The expanding use in pharmaceutical applications is a major driver of growth in the spray drying equipment market, as the technology plays a crucial role in producing high-quality, stable, and bioavailable drug formulations. Spray drying enables precise control over particle size, moisture content, and solubility, which is vital for the effectiveness and shelf-life of pharmaceutical products. It is widely used in the development of inhalable drugs, controlled-release formulations, and amorphous solid dispersions, making it indispensable in modern pharmaceutical manufacturing.

  As pharmaceutical companies increasingly demand scalable and efficient drying solutions, the adoption of advanced spray drying systems is on the rise. This trend is further supported by the growing need for continuous manufacturing, personalized medicine, and biologics, all of which benefit from the versatility and precision of spray drying technology. The ongoing innovations in equipment design, process automation, and material compatibility are strengthening its position as a preferred method for enhancing drug delivery and production efficiency.

Restraints

• Significantly High Operational and Material Costs
• Elevated Industrial Energy Consumption Levels

• Challenging and Complex Technical Requirements - Challenging and complex technical requirements serve as a significant restraint in the spray drying equipment market, particularly for industries where precision, consistency, and scalability are critical. Designing and operating spray drying systems requires in-depth expertise in thermal dynamics, fluid behavior, and material properties, making it difficult for many manufacturers to adopt or scale the technology effectively. The complexity increases when working with sensitive compounds that demand narrow processing conditions to maintain efficacy or stability, such as in pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals.

  Additionally, spray drying equipment must often be customized to handle specific product types, which increases engineering costs, setup time, and maintenance requirements. Operators must also be trained to manage process variables like inlet temperature, atomization rate, and feed concentration, all of which impact product quality. These technical challenges can deter small and mid-sized companies from entering the market or upgrading outdated systems, limiting the broader adoption of spray drying across various sectors.

Opportunities

• Improved Systems for Energy Efficiency
• Advanced Techniques for Process Optimization

• Flexible and Scalable Customization Options - Flexible and scalable customization options are creating strong growth opportunities in the spray drying equipment market, as manufacturers increasingly seek systems tailored to their specific product requirements and production volumes. The ability to modify parameters such as drying capacity, temperature control, atomization method, and material handling allows companies to optimize outcomes across diverse applications, from food and dairy to pharmaceuticals and chemicals. This customization not only enhances product quality and consistency but also supports efficient resource utilization and reduced operational waste.

  Scalability is another crucial advantage, enabling businesses to transition smoothly from pilot-scale testing to full-scale production without compromising process integrity. Manufacturers benefit from modular system designs and adaptable configurations that accommodate future capacity expansions or product line changes. As industries move toward flexible manufacturing environments to respond quickly to evolving market demands, spray drying equipment with customizable and scalable features becomes a key enabler of innovation and long-term growth.

Key players in Spray Drying Equipment Market include:

• GEA Group
• SPX Flow
• Shandong Tianli Drying Technology and Equipment
• Büchi Labortechnik
• European Spraydry Technologies
• Dedert Corporation
• Changzhou Lemar Drying Engineering
• Acmefil Engineering Systems Pvt. Ltd
• New AVM Systech
• Advanced Drying Systems
• Labplant
• Swenson Technology Inc.
• Yamato Scientific America
• Tetra Pak International S.A
• G Larsson Starch Technology Ab

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis