Gentle drying

  • Up to 45% subsidized acquisition costs

  • Save up to 75% on energy costs

  • 100% planning reliability thanks to premium after-sales service

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Gentle drying is crucial in many industries today for product quality and cost-effectiveness. Whether it’s food, pharmaceuticals, electroplating, or environmental technology – wherever temperature, humidity, and time must be precisely coordinated, heat pump drying from HARTER offers the ideal solution.

The process combines precise process control, high energy efficiency, and hygienic exhaust air-free operation.

HARTER demonstrates how individual systems are developed: This is how solutions for heat pump dryers are created.
The physical principles of the technology are described in: Energy-saving drying with heat pump.

Do you require a custom solution and/or would you like to test the drying process beforehand?

Development with practical tests in our in-house development center

We are an innovation-driven team and welcome new challenges. HARTER tests your custom solution in the technical center under realistic conditions, optimizes the parameters, and documents the results transparently. Please contact us – we would be pleased to provide you with a non-binding consultation!

Contact our experts now +49 8383 9223‑210 or submit the contact form
2000

Drying systems

in over 20 countries stand for our quality

100

Employees

from all areas ensure a high level of vertical integration

+ 35

Years of experience

in the development of innovative drying systems

Gentle drying – Principle and advantages of heat pump technology

With gentle drying, the focus is on maintaining the product structure. Temperature, air volume, and humidity are regulated so that sensitive materials dry evenly without undergoing chemical or physical changes.

The HARTER principle:

  • Closed air circuit → no exhaust air, no energy loss
  • Precise dehumidification → constant, dry process air
  • Gentle heating → controlled temperatures between 30 °C and 75 °C

Your Benefits:

  • Constant quality through reproducible process parameters
  • Preservation of aromas, colors, and structures
  • Up to 70% energy savings compared to hot air processes
  • Exhaust air-free, hygienic process
  • Stable residual moisture levels with low energy input

The combination of heat pump, dehumidification, and air circulation ensures controlled conditions – regardless of the ambient air. This results in even drying down to the core – without dehydration or surface hardening.

gentle drying systems

Gentle drying – Applications and product examples

Gentle drying plays a key role in almost all industries. HARTER develops systems that are precisely tailored to the product, industry, and production environment.

Typical Application Areas:

  • Food industry: Fruits, vegetables, herbs, meat and protein products
  • Pharmaceuticals and chemicals: Powders, granules, active ingredients
  • Surface technology: Adhesion water drying, electroplating, cleaning
  • Environmental technology: Sludge, filter cakes, secondary raw materials
  • Material processing: Plastics, components, paint carriers

System variants:

  • Chamber dryer / tray dryer for flexible batches
  • Belt dryer for continuous processes
  • Special systems for special geometries or cleanroom conditions

Each system is tested and adapted in the company’s own technical center. There, HARTER uses your original products to determine the optimal parameters – temperature, air flow, bed depth, and target residual moisture – and documents them for series operation.

Further applications and references can be found under: Industries.

The Process

We dry with dry air and deliver it to the right places: A perfect interplay of air preparation and air guidance provides you with the best possible drying result.

Interface: Airgenex® Dehumidification Technology / Dryer – Moist air is extracted from the drying chamber and supplied to the dehumidification unit.

The pre-cooler pre-cools the air in a first stage. This significantly reduces the compressor’s energy consumption.

Moisture condenses on the fins of the air cooler and drains out of the drying system via the drip tray and condensate drain.

The cooled, dehumidified air is warmed up without additional energy by means of a pre-heater.
The air heater warms the air to the required process temperature.

The process air fan ensures the necessary air exchange between the Airgenex® dehumidification technology and the drying chamber.

Now, the dry, unsaturated air is guided into the drying chamber, where it absorbs the product’s moisture. Thus, the cycle is closed.

Efficiency that pays off.

Our HARTER drying systems save up to 75% CO₂ and are up to 45% governmentally funded.

Reliable – Competent – Long-term

Service that thinks ahead – for years to come

With the HARTER After-Sales Service, you secure a reliable and efficient drying solution for the long term. Whether it’s maintenance, spare parts supply, or technical adjustments – we support your system throughout its entire life cycle and ensure that it delivers optimal results at all times.

Performance Service

Optimal performance through our “all-round carefree package”

Custom Service

Flexible for changing requirements

Expert Service

Fast assistance in case of failure

Lifetime Service

So that the quality is always right

Gentle drying – Sustainability, economy and future security

The heat pump technology from HARTER enables energy-saving processes without waste heat loss. The drying process is completely exhaust air-free and low-emission – an advantage for the environment and operating costs.

Sustainable advantages:

  • Up to 70% energy savings
  • Reduced CO₂ emissions through heat recovery
  • No exhaust air or filter systems required
  • Long service life thanks to robust technology
  • Eligible for funding through energy and environmental programs

The systems have a modular design and can be easily integrated into existing production lines. Process monitoring, data logging, and remote maintenance are optionally available – ideal for automated quality and energy audits.

HARTER demonstrates how practical concepts are developed from requirements: This is how solutions for heat pump dryers are created.

What our customers say

Not convinced yet? Our customers are thrilled!

“Sometimes it is better to say nothing and let your customers speak for themselves.”
– Regina Mader, Managing Director

“For several decades, we have been using a sludge dryer from Harter in our electroplating shop and are very satisfied with it. The technology and service are reliable and have helped us save a lot of money on disposal.”

Daniel Hutter
Verzinkerei Kriessern AG

“BK Giulini GmbH has been working successfully with Harter GmbH for around 20 years. We are very satisfied with both the dryer technology and the reliability of the complete system. Based on these positive experiences and the very good service, we invested in another drying system of this type in 2023.”

Dimitri Baumbach
ICL Ladenburg / BK Giulini GmbH (ICL Group)

“In our waste incineration plant, we have saved an enormous amount of money by drying our heavy metal-containing hydroxide sludge. The system technology is sustainable and easy to maintain. In retrospect, the investment was a very good decision.”

Stefan Ringmann
KVA Linth

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about gentle drying

The product is dried at a low temperature, constant humidity and controlled air flow to preserve quality, color and ingredients.

Depending on the product, between 30 °C and 75 °C – ideal for sensitive materials such as food, pharmaceutical active ingredients or coated surfaces.

Up to 70% compared to hot air drying. The heat pump uses existing energy multiple times in a closed circuit.

Yes. The exhaust air-free technology meets the highest hygiene requirements and is GMP- and HACCP-compatible.

Original products are tested in the technical center, process data is documented and checked for reproducibility.

Yes. Due to their high energy efficiency, they meet the criteria of many funding programs for sustainable production.

Yes. The modular systems can be flexibly connected to upstream and downstream processes.

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