Spray Drying Equipment Market Analysis

Asia-Pacific’s spray drying equipment landscape has moved from fragmented local shops to an engineering-rich market anchored by global OEM installations, national champions in dairy and a growing network of R&D testbeds that accelerate industrial uptake. GEA supplied multi-stage drying technology for the AmulFed milk powder complex in India, demonstrating how large cooperative processors now specify high-capacity, dual-feed systems to run 24/7, in New Zealand, GEA-built dryers at Fonterra’s Darfield/Lichfield operations are frequently cited as examples of engineering to very large throughputs. At the laboratory and pilot scale, Büchi’s Nano Spray Dryer B-90 is widely used in university formulation labs across China, India and Australia to de-risk particle work for inhalation and probiotic applications, while China’s Pilotech and Jiangsu Yutong advertise growing patent portfolios and high-volume manufacturing of pilot and production units that shorten lead times for regional customers. India’s Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund has supported local drying capacity upgrades and equipment financing at state cooperative facilities, helping bridge procurement gaps for modern dryers. On the technical front, recent product developments deployed in the region include anti-fouling nozzle cartridges and hardened disk metallurgy that reduce maintenance cycles, compact multi-stage modules that combine initial spray drying with fluidized-bed finishing for instantization, and heat-recovery packages that reclaim exhaust energy to lower fuel use. Suppliers increasingly deliver skid-mounted, PLC/SCADA-equipped units with inline NIR moisture probes and laser diffraction monitors so plants can generate GMP-ready digital batch records during scale-up. According to the research report "Asia-Pacific Spray Drying Equipment Market Reserach Report, 2030," published by Actual Market Reserach, the Asia-Pacific Spray Drying Equipment market is anticipated to grow at more than 7.78% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. SPX Flow (Anhydro) operates application centres in Europe and Asia that support pilot trials and customer validation for local ingredient makers, and modular pilot units from suppliers such as Dedert (multi-stage pilot dryers) are used to validate process recipes before lock-in to large plants; at the same time a long list of Asia-based manufacturers from Shandong Tianli and Jiangsu Yutong in China to Hemraj Engineering, Shachi and AVM Systech in India supply locally fabricated skids and full production lines, shortening procurement cycles and spares lead times. Financing models vary vendor finance and lease arrangements are offered by equipment sellers and specialist lessors, while public funding schemes in several countries have co-financed plant upgrades, procurement teams increasingly weigh modular skid delivery versus full EPC projects on CAPEX/OPEX tradeoffs and site civil-work timelines. Supply-chain resilience has become a procurement priority, prompting dual-sourcing strategies for atomizers and critical seals plus regional stocking hubs to avoid long overseas waits.

Operational focus has shifted to measurable KPIs: plants benchmark throughput, yield, energy per kg and uptime using standardized toolkits and third-party benchmarking services, and innovation pockets in the region include pilot nano-spray initiatives for inhalables and probiotics, additive manufacturing for custom atomizer parts, and integrated heat-recovery and condensate reuse projects that cut lifecycle energy use in large dryers. .

Market Dynamic

Spray Drying EquipmentSegmentation

Rotary atomizer spray drying is leading in Asia-Pacific as it provides the high throughput, efficiency, and reliability needed to support the region’s large dairy and food processing industries.

Rotary atomizer systems dominate the Asia-Pacific market due to their ability to handle massive liquid feed volumes, a requirement in countries such as China, India, and New Zealand where dairy production and food processing operate on an immense scale. Milk powders, infant formula, whey proteins, and instant coffee are key regional products, and rotary atomizers are particularly suited for these industries as they create fine, uniform droplets that dry into stable, free-flowing powders. Producers value the consistency of particle size and the spherical nature of the powders, which improve solubility and storage stability, critical for both domestic consumption and exports. In India, large dairy cooperatives and processing plants depend on rotary atomizers to convert surplus milk into exportable powders, while in New Zealand, the world’s leading milk powder exporter, rotary spray dryers form the backbone of production. Beyond dairy, the widespread consumption of instant coffee and powdered beverages in Asia also strengthens the reliance on rotary systems. The design of rotary atomizers allows for continuous operation at very high feed rates, making them cost-effective for large plants that must maximize output. Another factor reinforcing their leadership is durability, as these systems are capable of handling viscous feeds and can run for long cycles, which reduces downtime in high-volume industries. Global and regional equipment suppliers have also invested heavily in Asia-Pacific, offering rotary atomizer systems designed for the unique demands of local industries, which ensures widespread adoption. In a region where scale, efficiency, and reliability are essential, rotary atomizer spray dryers remain the leading choice across food and dairy sectors, cementing their dominance in the Asia-Pacific market.

Two-stage spray drying is significant in Asia-Pacific since it helps manufacturers manage sticky products and create powders with improved solubility and stability, which are critical in dairy and nutrition-focused industries.

In Asia-Pacific, the demand for two-stage systems arises from the region’s reliance on products such as infant formula, milk powders, nutritional supplements, and instant beverages, which require powders that dissolve instantly and have longer shelf life. Single-stage dryers often leave powders sticky or prone to caking, particularly under humid conditions common in many Asian countries, making them difficult to transport and store. By integrating a secondary drying step, often through a fluidized bed, two-stage systems allow for better moisture control and particle agglomeration, resulting in powders that are more stable, easier to handle, and more appealing to consumers. This is particularly important in China, which has one of the largest infant formula markets in the world, where two-stage drying helps ensure product quality and safety. India and Southeast Asian countries also benefit from two-stage systems for producing stable dairy powders and instant mixes suitable for tropical climates. Nutraceutical products such as probiotics and herbal supplements further support the significance of two-stage drying, as the technology provides the gentle conditions needed to protect bioactive ingredients while ensuring usability in powder form. The added efficiency of two-stage drying is another advantage, since staged processes reduce reprocessing needs and improve overall yields, critical in large plants handling thousands of liters per hour. Equipment manufacturers, both global and regional, have recognized the importance of two-stage systems in Asia-Pacific and continue to expand offerings tailored to local market needs. By providing better powder properties and greater process flexibility, two-stage spray drying has become a significant technology in Asia-Pacific industries that require reliable, high-quality outputs.

Open cycle spray drying is the fastest growing in Asia-Pacific as it offers simplicity, affordability, and scalability for the region’s expanding food, dairy, and chemical industries.

The rapid rise of open cycle systems in Asia-Pacific reflects their ability to meet the needs of fast-developing markets where industrial growth must be balanced with cost efficiency. Open cycle dryers use ambient air as the drying medium, which makes them less complex and less expensive to install and operate compared to closed-loop systems. In countries such as India, China, and Vietnam, dairy cooperatives and food processors are expanding rapidly to meet rising demand for milk powders, coffee, tea, spices, and flavorings, and open cycle dryers provide the most practical solution for scaling up production quickly. These systems are well suited for bulk powders that do not require solvent recovery or specialized handling, which fits the profile of most products made in Asia-Pacific. The chemical industry also uses open cycle spray drying for detergents, fertilizers, and other bulk materials where simplicity and throughput are more important than advanced customization. Another factor driving growth is the availability of local equipment manufacturers, particularly in China and India, who can produce open cycle spray dryers at competitive costs, making them accessible to small and medium enterprises as well as large processors. As these industries expand to serve both domestic consumption and export markets, the reliance on open cycle systems grows stronger. Even as environmental regulations tighten, manufacturers are adapting these systems with energy recovery and emission controls, ensuring they remain viable in the long term. With industries expanding at a rapid pace and requiring dependable, scalable solutions, open cycle spray dryers are experiencing the fastest adoption in Asia-Pacific, solidifying their role in the region’s industrial growth.

Co-current flow spray drying is leading in Asia-Pacific since it is ideally suited for heat-sensitive food and pharmaceutical products that dominate the region’s spray drying operations.

In co-current systems, both the hot air and atomized droplets move in the same direction, allowing powders to be exposed to high heat only briefly before cooling down as they travel through the chamber. This design minimizes thermal degradation, which is especially important in processing milk powders, infant formula, whey proteins, and nutritional supplements, all of which are major products in Asia-Pacific. The region’s large dairy industries in New Zealand, India, and China rely heavily on co-current spray dryers to ensure that powders retain their nutritional integrity and reconstitution properties. Pharmaceutical manufacturers in Asia-Pacific, particularly in India and China, also prefer co-current systems when producing inhalable drugs, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, as the airflow pattern protects sensitive ingredients while achieving high throughput. The growing nutraceutical market further drives the use of co-current dryers, as they allow powders like probiotics, herbal extracts, and functional blends to be produced without significant loss of efficacy. Another reason for their leadership is efficiency, as co-current systems allow faster drying of large feed volumes, which is critical in the high-capacity plants common across the region. Equipment suppliers in Asia-Pacific, both global and domestic, have optimized co-current designs to suit local feedstocks and climatic conditions, making them the standard choice for many industries. With the dominance of food and nutraceuticals and the need to preserve quality in heat-sensitive products, co-current spray drying remains the leading configuration in Asia-Pacific.

Food and dairy is leading in Asia-Pacific since the region’s vast production of milk powders, infant formula, instant beverages, and nutritional products heavily relies on spray drying technology.

Asia-Pacific is home to some of the largest dairy-producing and processing countries in the world, including India, China, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which depend on spray drying to convert liquid milk into powders that can be stored, transported, and exported efficiently. Milk powders are a staple product in the region, serving both domestic consumption and international trade, and spray drying ensures their quality and shelf life. Infant formula is another key driver, particularly in China, where demand for high-quality baby nutrition has fueled significant investment in spray drying facilities. Instant beverages such as coffee, tea, and flavored drink powders also contribute to the sector’s leadership, with countries like Vietnam and Indonesia leading in coffee production and processing. Nutritional powders, including protein supplements and fortified foods, are growing in popularity across Asia-Pacific as consumer lifestyles change, further increasing reliance on spray drying. The technology allows these products to be produced in stable, soluble forms that meet consumer preferences for convenience and functionality. The dominance of food and dairy is also supported by government policies that encourage self-sufficiency in nutrition and promote exports of processed dairy products, particularly in India and New Zealand. Local and global equipment manufacturers have tailored systems to meet the unique requirements of the sector, such as handling high volumes of liquid feed and producing powders that dissolve instantly in water. With its massive scale, diverse product portfolio, and strategic importance to both domestic and global supply chains, the food and dairy sector continues to lead the Asia-Pacific spray drying equipment market.

Spray Drying Equipment Market Regional Insights

China is leading the Asia Pacific spray drying equipment market due to its rapidly expanding food processing industry, massive pharmaceutical manufacturing base, and strong domestic equipment production capabilities.

China’s economic rise has been accompanied by dramatic growth in food consumption and processing, and spray drying has become a central technology for meeting domestic demand for dairy powders, instant beverages, nutritional products, and flavorings. The government has supported the modernization of the food industry to meet rising consumer expectations, and the conversion of perishable liquid foods into long shelf-life powders has become essential in this effort. In parallel, China has developed one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing bases in the world, and spray drying has been increasingly adopted for producing active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, and drug formulations that require solubility enhancement and controlled particle sizes. The dual pull from food and pharma has created a large and consistent demand for spray drying equipment. Unlike many other regions, China also has a well-established domestic machinery industry that builds spray dryers ranging from laboratory scale to large industrial units, which reduces reliance on imports and enables faster adoption at lower cost. This local manufacturing capability, combined with collaborations with global suppliers, has accelerated the spread of spray drying technology across the country. China’s role as the world’s largest producer and consumer of dairy powders also underlines its reliance on spray drying, particularly with the rapid growth of infant formula production to serve both domestic and export markets. Moreover, China’s push for self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals and food technology has driven continuous investment in advanced processing systems, while partnerships with universities and research institutes provide technical expertise for innovation. With scale, industrial demand, and manufacturing capabilities aligning, China has emerged as the dominant force in the Asia Pacific spray drying equipment market.