Italy Spray Drying Equipment Market Overview,2030

Italy’s spray drying equipment market has evolved alongside its well-established food, dairy, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Spray drying first gained traction in Italy during the mid-20th century, driven by the need to process milk powders, whey proteins, and coffee for both domestic consumption and exports. Northern regions such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto became early adopters due to their strong dairy production and industrial infrastructure. During the 1970s and 1980s, Italy’s food processing sector expanded spray drying applications to include powdered sauces, soups, flavorings, and instant coffee, aligning with urbanization and changing consumer preferences for convenience foods. Simultaneously, Italy’s pharmaceutical industry, centered in Lombardy, Piedmont, and Lazio, adopted spray drying for solubility enhancement, encapsulation, and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The chemical sector also integrated spray drying in the production of pigments, polymers, and detergents, particularly in industrial regions of the North. From the 1990s onward, Italian manufacturers focused on energy efficiency and compliance with EU regulations, adopting advanced closed-cycle systems and solvent recovery technologies. Research institutions and universities, including those in Milan, Bologna, and Turin, played a crucial role in pilot-scale development and innovations in encapsulation and nutraceuticals. In the 2000s, the rising demand for infant nutrition, functional foods, and nutraceutical products further drove spray drying adoption. Today, Italy’s spray drying equipment market reflects a strong foundation in food and dairy, complemented by growing applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and chemicals, with emphasis on sustainability, automation, and adherence to EU standards.

According to the research report, ""Italy Spray Dying Equipment Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Italy Spray Dying Equipment market is anticipated to add to USD 60 Million by 2025–30. Italy’s spray drying equipment market is driven by a combination of industrial demand, technological advancement, and regulatory compliance. Drivers include the country’s robust food and dairy sector, particularly for milk powders, whey proteins, coffee, soups, and flavorings, which are essential for both domestic consumption and European exports. The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries also contribute strongly, utilizing spray drying for solubility improvement, encapsulation, and particle control for APIs, probiotics, and fortified supplements. Restraints include the high cost of advanced spray drying equipment, which can challenge small and medium-sized enterprises. Energy-intensive operations are another limiting factor, especially with Italy’s high electricity costs and increasing focus on sustainability. Opportunities exist in growing consumer demand for functional foods, plant-based proteins, fortified nutrition, and dietary supplements. Export-oriented dairy and pharmaceutical companies can leverage spray drying to meet international quality and regulatory requirements. Challenges include compliance with EU regulations on emissions, food safety, and pharmaceuticals, necessitating continuous upgrades to equipment and processes. Additionally, Italian manufacturers face global competition from Germany, Denmark, and Asian equipment suppliers. Innovation-driven opportunities are emerging through Industry 4.0 integration, including automation, smart monitoring, and AI-based process optimization, improving efficiency and product quality. Despite energy, cost, and regulatory pressures, the market remains poised for growth, driven by sustainability trends, technological advancements, and increasing export demand.
Italy’s spray drying equipment market by product includes rotary atomizer, nozzle atomizer, fluidized, and centrifugal systems, each serving distinct industry needs. Rotary atomizer spray dryers dominate food and dairy applications, particularly in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto. They are used for milk powders, whey proteins, coffee powders, soups, and flavorings, offering high-volume output and uniform particle size for domestic use and European exports. Nozzle atomizer spray dryers are increasingly applied in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, where precise control is essential for heat-sensitive products such as APIs, probiotics, and herbal extracts. Facilities in Milan, Rome, and Bologna rely on nozzle systems for compliance with EU regulatory standards and high-quality formulations. Fluidized spray dryers are utilized in the chemical and specialty materials sectors, particularly for pigments, catalysts, polymers, and encapsulated flavors, offering precise moisture and particle control. Adoption is concentrated in industrial hubs across Northern Italy. Centrifugal spray dryers are mostly applied in R&D, academic institutions, and small-scale pharmaceutical labs for experimental formulations and innovative product development. While rotary atomizers hold the largest market share due to high-volume food and dairy applications, nozzle atomizers are expected to grow faster with the expansion of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Fluidized and centrifugal systems, although smaller, play crucial roles in specialty chemicals and research applications. Across all product types, Italian manufacturers prioritize energy efficiency, automation, and EU compliance, ensuring competitiveness in domestic and export markets. This product segmentation demonstrates the country’s dual focus on traditional food production and high-value, innovation-driven industries.

In Italy, spray drying equipment by stage single-stage, two-stage, and multi-stage reflects the balance between bulk food processing and high-value pharmaceutical applications. Single-stage spray dryers dominate food and dairy processing, used extensively for milk powders, coffee powders, soups, and flavorings in Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. Their simplicity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness make them ideal for large-scale production. Two-stage spray dryers are increasingly adopted in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, offering precise control over particle size, solubility, and moisture content. Facilities in Milan, Bologna, and Rome leverage two-stage systems for APIs, vitamins, probiotics, and fortified supplements, ensuring compliance with EU regulatory standards. Multi-stage spray dryers, although representing a smaller market segment, are essential for sensitive applications such as infant formula, encapsulated bioactives, plant-based proteins, and high-value nutraceuticals. Their integration of fluidized beds, advanced drying, and cooling systems ensures product stability, uniformity, and extended shelf life. Research centers and universities, such as those in Turin and Bologna, utilize multi-stage systems for pilot-scale studies and innovation in food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical applications. While single-stage systems dominate in volume due to food and dairy reliance, the increasing demand for functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals is driving the adoption of two-stage and multi-stage equipment. This stage segmentation reflects Italy’s dual market structure: traditional bulk food processing and high-value, specialized, and research-driven applications supported by technological innovation and regulatory compliance.

The Italian spray drying equipment market by cycle—open and closed—demonstrates industry-specific requirements. Open-cycle spray dryers dominate the food and dairy sector, where water is the primary solvent. These systems are widely used for milk powders, coffee powders, soups, and flavorings across Northern Italy, including Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna, due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness for bulk production. Closed-cycle spray dryers, while a smaller segment, are essential in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and specialty chemicals, where safety, solvent recovery, and compliance with EU and Italian regulations are critical. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical facilities in Milan, Rome, and Bologna utilize closed-cycle dryers for solvent-based APIs, probiotics, and herbal extracts, ensuring GMP and EMA compliance. The chemical sector, particularly in industrialized northern regions, employs closed systems for catalysts, polymers, and specialty powders requiring precise moisture control and safety precautions. Growing emphasis on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental compliance supports closed-cycle adoption, as these systems reduce emissions and recover solvents efficiently. While open-cycle dryers dominate in food and dairy due to their suitability for high-volume water-based processes, closed-cycle dryers are increasingly important for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and specialty chemicals. This segmentation highlights Italy’s dual focus on cost-effective bulk production and high-value, safety-sensitive operations, aligned with technological innovation, regulatory compliance, and sustainability goals. The evolving balance between open and closed systems reflects Italy’s commitment to both tradition and modern, high-quality manufacturing.

Italy’s spray drying equipment market by flow co-current, counter-current, and mixed flow varies according to industrial requirements. Co-current flow spray dryers dominate in food and dairy processing, where rapid drying and heat protection are essential. Northern Italian regions such as Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna rely on co-current systems for milk powders, whey proteins, soups, and flavorings, ensuring product quality and consistency for domestic use and European exports. Counter-current flow spray dryers are primarily used in the chemical sector, where longer drying times and low residual moisture are critical. Industrial hubs in Milan, Turin, and Bologna employ counter-current systems for detergents, catalysts, pigments, and specialty chemicals that demand precision and durability. Mixed-flow spray dryers are gaining traction in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, where balancing drying speed, solubility, and particle stability is essential. Facilities in Rome, Milan, and Bologna use mixed-flow systems for APIs, probiotics, fortified supplements, and functional foods. Research and academic centers also employ mixed-flow designs for experimental formulations and innovation in plant-based proteins and high-value nutraceuticals. Italy emphasizes automation, process control, and energy efficiency across all flow configurations to align with EU sustainability requirements. While co-current systems dominate food and dairy production, counter-current and mixed-flow systems are expanding in specialty chemicals and health-driven sectors. This segmentation demonstrates Italy’s dual market structure: high-volume traditional food processing alongside advanced, research-oriented pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Spray drying equipment applications in Italy cover food & dairy, pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals, chemicals, and other sectors. Food & dairy is the largest segment, driven by Northern Italy’s strong dairy production in Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. Spray drying is used for milk powders, whey proteins, infant formula, instant coffee, soups, sauces, and flavorings, supporting both domestic consumption and European exports. Pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals represent a fast-growing sector, with Italian pharmaceutical hubs in Milan, Rome, and Bologna employing spray drying for solubility enhancement, encapsulation, and stabilization of APIs, vitamins, probiotics, and functional supplements. Regulatory compliance with EU standards ensures high-quality production for international markets. Chemical applications are significant, particularly in specialty chemicals, pigments, and polymers, where spray drying ensures uniformity, flowability, and durability, especially in northern industrial regions. Other applications include cosmetics, ceramics, and advanced materials, where academic and R&D institutions in Turin, Bologna, and Milan employ pilot-scale systems for innovative product development. While food and dairy dominate in terms of volume, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and specialty chemicals are driving market diversification and higher-value opportunities. Italy’s focus on sustainability, automation, and energy-efficient solutions ensures the adoption of advanced spray drying systems across industries. The market demonstrates a balance between traditional food and dairy strength and emerging innovation-driven applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and specialty chemicals, making Italy a versatile and technologically advanced spray drying market in Europe.


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Spray Drying Equipment Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Rotary Atomizer
• Nozzle Atomizer
• Fluidized
• Centrifugal

By Stage
• Single-Stage
• Two-Stage
• Multi-Stage

By Cycle
• Open
• Closed

By Flow
• Co-Current
• Counter-Current
• Mixed Flow

By Application
• Food & Dairy
• Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals
• Chemical
• Others Show more