Case study · Nestlé
Industrial heat recovery for Nestlé
Custom-made exhaust air recuperators and independent pinch analysis supporting energy efficiency in food production.
A long-standing collaboration combining practical equipment engineering with systematic heat integration.
The collaboration
From exhaust air to site-wide heat integration
Recovering heat from spray drying exhaust requires attention to performance, cleanability and process integration. At site level, the opportunity extends across production processes, utilities and existing recovery systems.
Anytherm’s work with Nestlé addresses both: delivering heat recovery equipment and evaluating how available waste heat can best serve the wider production site.
Project at a glance
Customer
Nestlé
Applications
Spray drying & food production
Scope
Exhaust air heat recovery
Independent pinch analysis
Published milestones
Recuperator deliveries · 2024
Site-wide study · 2026
01 · Delivered equipment
Megawatt-scale exhaust air heat recovery
By July 2024, Anytherm had delivered three large exhaust air recuperators to Nestlé, with heat recovery capacities ranging from approximately 1.3 to 2 MW per unit.
3
Recuperators delivered
reported in July 2024
1.3–2 MW
Heat recovery capacity
per unit
13–17 t
Equipment weight
per unit
Designed for the process
The units recover heat including condensation. Series-connected heat exchanger elements, insulated inlet cones and dedicated condensate drainage support the recovery process.
Sight glasses enable inspection; integrated cleaning-in-place systems remove powder deposits. Cleaning studies were conducted in collaboration with Nestlé.
Engineered for installation
Each unit measures approximately 10 × 3 × 4 metres. Roof access by crane required careful lifting preparation, supported by FEM analysis and dynamic load testing at the production site.
Published project account: Megawatts of heat recovery for Nestlé · July 2024
Project impressions
The equipment behind the engineering
02 · Independent energy consulting
Nearly 25% natural gas reduction potential identified
A pinch-based study, published in August 2026, assessed heat integration at a major Nestlé food production site in Northern Europe.
The analysis connected processes, utilities and existing heat recovery systems, evaluating additional recovery sources and heat pump integration independently of specific equipment solutions.
The study supports Nestlé’s decarbonization planning by considering heat recovery across the entire site.
>20 GWh
Total energy savings potential
per year
Nearly 25%
Potential reduction
in natural gas consumption
>3,500 t
CO₂ reduction potential
per year
The figures describe potential savings identified by the study and provide a decision basis for further implementation.
Explore heat recovery & pinch analysis ↗
Published study account: Heat recovery analysis within the Nestlé partnership · August 2026
Your process. Our expertise.
What could your site recover?
Talk to our team about exhaust air heat recovery, process integration or an independent assessment of your site’s energy saving potential.