United Kingdom Spray Drying Equipment Market Overview,2030

The United Kingdom’s spray drying equipment market has evolved steadily, reflecting the country’s strong food, dairy, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Spray drying was first adopted in the UK during the post-World War II era, primarily for milk powders and instant coffee, which gained traction with urbanization and changing consumer lifestyles. By the 1960s and 1970s, the UK’s pharmaceutical sector began utilizing spray drying to enhance drug formulations, particularly in solubility enhancement and controlled release systems. The country’s established chemical industry, centered on regions such as the North West and North East, further expanded applications by adopting spray drying for pigments, detergents, and polymers. Over the decades, the UK’s dairy and food sectors integrated spray drying into large-scale processing of milk powders, flavors, soups, and nutritional products. Rising export demand, especially to Europe and the Commonwealth countries, supported market expansion. The 1990s and early 2000s marked a shift toward energy-efficient and compact systems, driven by stricter EU regulations on safety and environmental impact. Universities and research institutes, particularly in Cambridge, Oxford, and London, also played a vital role in advancing spray drying research and pilot-scale development. More recently, the UK’s growing nutraceutical industry, supported by health-conscious consumers, has driven demand for encapsulation technologies and spray drying systems tailored for probiotics, herbal extracts, and fortified supplements. Today, the UK spray drying equipment market stands as a diversified ecosystem, combining its heritage in food and dairy with strong pharmaceutical and chemical applications, while moving toward sustainability and digitalization in line with global trends.

According to the research report "" United Kingdom Spray Dying Equipment Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Spray Dying Equipment market was valued at USD 200 Million in 2024 .The UK spray drying equipment market is shaped by multiple forces across industries. Key drivers include the country’s strong food and beverage sector, where powdered milk, instant coffee, soups, and flavors are in steady demand. The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries also act as major drivers, as spray drying is essential for improving solubility, bioavailability, and encapsulation of sensitive ingredients. Consumer demand for fortified foods, protein powders, and health supplements further fuels this growth. Restraints include high equipment and energy costs, which pose challenges in a country experiencing elevated utility prices and economic pressure from inflation. Regulatory compliance with UK standards, along with post-Brexit divergence from EU frameworks, adds complexity for manufacturers and buyers. Opportunities lie in advanced pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and sustainable solutions. As the UK strengthens its position as a global pharma hub, particularly around London, Cambridge, and Manchester, demand for high-precision spray drying systems is growing. Nutraceuticals, plant-based nutrition, and fortified beverages also present emerging opportunities. Challenges include competition from European and Asian equipment manufacturers and the ongoing need to reduce carbon emissions in line with UK net-zero targets. Integrating automation, data monitoring, and energy-efficient designs is both a challenge and an opportunity for local suppliers.

The United Kingdom’s spray drying equipment market by product rotary atomizer, nozzle atomizer, fluidized, and centrifugal systems caters to different sectors with distinct priorities. Rotary atomizer spray dryers dominate in large-scale food and dairy processing, particularly for milk powders, instant coffee, and soups. These systems, installed in regions such as Northern Ireland and Scotland, support the UK’s strong dairy exports. Nozzle atomizer spray dryers are increasingly important in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, offering precise control for heat-sensitive products like vitamins, probiotics, and APIs. Facilities in Cambridge, Oxford, and London use nozzle systems extensively for research and commercial manufacturing. Fluidized spray dryers occupy a smaller but growing share in the UK, applied in specialty chemicals, ceramics, and advanced materials. Their adoption is evident in industrial regions like the North West, where specialty chemical manufacturing requires high uniformity and durability. Centrifugal spray dryers are often used in R&D, academic laboratories, and niche pharmaceutical testing, offering flexibility for small-batch production and new product development. While rotary atomizers remain dominant in food and dairy applications, nozzle atomizers are expected to grow faster due to the UK’s expanding pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Fluidized and centrifugal systems, although smaller in overall volume, are strategically important in research and high-value manufacturing. Across all products, the UK market emphasizes efficiency, compliance with UK and international standards, and adaptability to shifting consumer demand, particularly in functional foods and health-oriented products.

The UK spray drying equipment market by stage single-stage, two-stage, and multi-stage illustrates the country’s balance between traditional food processing and advanced pharmaceutical applications. Single-stage spray dryers remain widely used in the UK food and dairy industry for milk powders, soups, and flavorings. Their simplicity and cost-effectiveness make them indispensable for large-scale processors in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, where dairy production plays a key role. Two-stage spray dryers are gaining adoption in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, as they provide improved control over particle size, solubility, and moisture content. Companies in Cambridge, Manchester, and London utilize these systems for APIs, vitamins, and encapsulated probiotics, ensuring compliance with stringent Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) standards. Multi-stage spray dryers, though representing a smaller portion of the market, are essential for high-value applications such as infant formula, specialized nutrition, and premium nutraceutical products. Their ability to integrate fluidized beds and advanced cooling allows them to handle heat-sensitive ingredients effectively. Multi-stage adoption is also visible in academic and research institutions working on advanced formulations and plant-based alternatives. While single-stage systems dominate in food and dairy, the rising demand for health products and pharmaceuticals is driving faster growth in two-stage and multi-stage equipment. This trend reflects the UK’s dual market structure: strong traditional dairy foundations alongside growing emphasis on advanced, health-driven, and innovative applications.

In the UK, the spray drying equipment market segmented by cycle open and closed reflects distinct industrial needs. Open-cycle spray dryers are the most widely used, particularly in the food and dairy sector. They are essential for large-scale production of milk powders, instant coffee, soups, and flavorings, which form a significant part of both domestic consumption and export. Dairy producers in Scotland and Northern Ireland rely heavily on open systems for bulk processing, as they are cost-effective and efficient when water is the primary solvent. Closed-cycle spray dryers, though a smaller share, are critical in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and chemicals, where solvent recovery, explosion prevention, and safety are priorities. Pharmaceutical companies around London, Cambridge, and Oxford use closed systems to process solvent-based formulations such as APIs and herbal extracts, ensuring compliance with MHRA and international GMP standards. In the chemical sector, closed-cycle systems are employed for catalysts, polymers, and pigments, particularly in specialty applications that demand strict environmental safety. The UK’s increasing emphasis on sustainability and its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 also encourage adoption of closed-cycle systems, as they minimize waste and recover solvents efficiently. While open systems dominate due to their role in food and dairy, the growing pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and chemical sectors are steadily increasing the demand for closed-cycle equipment. This segmentation highlights the UK’s balance between high-volume food processing and specialized, safety-focused industries.

The UK spray drying equipment market by flow co-current, counter-current, and mixed flow reflects its diverse industrial applications. Co-current flow spray dryers dominate in the UK, particularly within the dairy and food sectors. By allowing hot air and feed to move in the same direction, these systems minimize thermal degradation, making them suitable for milk powders, coffee creamers, soups, and flavorings. Large-scale producers in Scotland and Northern Ireland rely heavily on co-current designs to meet both domestic demand and export markets. Counter-current flow spray dryers, though less widespread, are used in industries requiring longer drying times and reduced residual moisture. The UK’s chemical sector, particularly in the North West, employs counter-current systems for detergents, catalysts, and specialty powders, where durability and precise moisture control are critical. Mixed-flow systems are becoming increasingly important in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, where the need to balance drying speed, solubility, and particle stability is high. In Cambridge and London, these systems are employed to produce APIs, probiotics, and advanced formulations for functional foods. The UK market is gradually integrating automation and digital monitoring into all flow configurations, improving energy efficiency and product consistency. While co-current systems remain dominant due to the strength of food and dairy, the adoption of counter-current and mixed-flow systems is accelerating in high-value, research-driven industries. This segmentation demonstrates the UK’s ability to serve both bulk production and advanced pharmaceutical and nutraceutical demands with tailored equipment solutions.

Applications of spray drying equipment in the UK span food & dairy, pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals, chemicals, and others. Food & dairy dominates, driven by the UK’s strong dairy industry in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Spray drying is critical for producing milk powders, instant coffee, soups, and flavorings that cater to both domestic consumption and export, particularly to the EU and Commonwealth nations. Pharmaceuticals & nutraceuticals represent a fast-growing segment, as spray drying enhances solubility, stabilizes active ingredients, and enables encapsulation of probiotics, vitamins, and bioactives. Major pharmaceutical and biotech hubs in Cambridge, London, and Manchester are leading adopters, supported by the UK’s globally recognized MHRA regulatory framework. Chemical applications are also significant, especially in pigments, polymers, and specialty chemicals, with clusters in the North West and North East utilizing spray drying for consistency and scale. Other applications include cosmetics, ceramics, and advanced materials, where universities and research centers play an important role in pilot-scale innovation. The rise of functional foods, plant-based proteins, and nutraceuticals is accelerating diversification, with consumer health trends fueling demand for spray drying technologies that preserve sensitive ingredients. While food and dairy remain the backbone of the market, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals are rapidly increasing their share, positioning the UK as a hub for both traditional processing and high-value innovation. The country’s regulatory rigor, sustainability targets, and global export orientation ensure a steady demand for advanced, compliant spray drying systems.


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