Drying of Dog Food

  • Up to 45% subsidized acquisition costs

  • Save up to 75% energy costs

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

The drying of dog food is a crucial factor for quality, shelf life, and taste. At the same time, it significantly influences the economic efficiency and energy efficiency of production. With the heat pump drying systems from HARTER, you are relying on a modern, sustainable technology that dries the feed gently and hygienically – with consistent product quality and minimal energy input.

You can find an initial overview of the application in the article Drying of animal feed. The article explains how customized solutions are developed from individual requirements:

This is how solutions for heat pump dryers are created.

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

Drying dog food with a heat pump – technology and energy efficiency

Classic hot air systems consume enormous amounts of energy and often lead to uneven results. The HARTER heat pump dryers, on the other hand, work with a closed air circuit that continuously extracts moisture without losing energy or product quality.
The system guides the air over a dehumidifier, heats it via a heat pump, and directs it over the product again – exhaust air-free, clean, and constant.

This technology enables drying at low temperatures between 20 °C and 75 °C.
The advantage:

  • Vitamins, proteins, and fatty acids remain stable.
  • Texture and color are evenly preserved.
  • The shelf life improves without additional preservatives.

The article Expanding Capacities with Heat Pump Dryers provides insights into increasing efficiency and scaling.

Depending on the product form, different types of systems are used:

  • Tray dryer/chamber dryer for flexible batches,
  • Belt dryer for continuous operation or
  • Drum dryer for free-flowing and pelleted products.

Drying systems for dog food

Drying dog food – hygiene, quality, and process reliability

Dog food is one of the sensitive foods. Hygienic, controlled drying is therefore essential. The HARTER drying systems have been specially developed for these requirements:

  • closed air circuit without external air supply,
  • Stainless steel design of all air-conducting components,
  • easy-to-clean construction,
  • precise temperature and humidity control.

This ensures a consistent, reproducible result – regardless of external conditions. The technology protects the product from contamination and at the same time preserves aroma and structure.

The article describes practical experiences and references for animal feed drying:

Drying animal feed gently and safely.

Before series production, HARTER tests your products in its in-house technical center. Here, bulk density, air volume, temperature, and target residual moisture are precisely determined – the basis for reliable process control and consistent quality.

This results in systems that are optimally tailored to your product range, production volumes, and hygiene standards.

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

Drying dog food – system concepts & integration

HARTER designs each system individually: from small-scale production to large-scale production, from snacks to dry food in pellet or kibble form.
All systems are modular and can be integrated into existing lines – for example, in connection with a mixer, extruder, or packaging station. The processes can be completely automated and digitally monitored:

Temperature, humidity, and air velocity are recorded, documented, and exported for quality verification.

In the belt dryer animal feed product area, you will find suitable systems for high throughputs. Tray dryers/chamber dryers are available for variable batches, and the drum dryer pet food is ideal for pourable products such as snacks or pellets.

You can find an overview of related industrial sectors and applications on the Industries page.

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 drying dog food

The heat pump extracts moisture from the air and utilizes heat energy recovery. This creates a closed, energy-efficient cycle with stable process conditions.

Drying takes place at 20 °C to 75 °C – depending on the product type, moisture, and desired texture. This ensures the food remains rich in nutrients and retains its structure.

Yes, the systems are modular and can be flexibly integrated into existing production processes – including automation and QA monitoring.

In our in-house technical center, your products are tested under real conditions. This provides you with reliable data for design and investment decisions.

You save up to 70% energy, avoid quality losses, and achieve reproducible results with minimal maintenance.

Yes. HARTER systems are also suitable for cat food, snacks, and other animal products – with the same advantages in quality and efficiency.

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