Harter drying solutions

HARTER has been developing energy-efficient, exhaust-free drying systems for over 35 years, delivering high-performance solutions for the pet food industry. Pet food is a sensitive product that demands gentle handling, product safety and consistently high quality. Our heat pump–based condensation drying technology, combined with precise Airgenex®food airflow control, ensures stable process conditions and highly reproducible, gentle drying results – completely independent of climate or seasonal influences.

With adjustable temperatures between 30 and 75 °C, our systems preserve structure, aroma, color and valuable nutrients. Whether it is dry pet food, chews, treats, insect protein or other specialty products, HARTER systems achieve exact residual moisture levels – from soft to crunchy – while ensuring maximum product safety and consistent quality. Pasteurization or microbial reduction steps can be integrated, and combined drying–cooling systems are also widely used.

For packaged products such as stand-up pouches, we provide reliable surface drying solutions that ensure complete, residue-free drying within short processing times – a crucial factor for hygiene, shelf life and efficient downstream handling.

At our in-house technical center, HARTER tests your products under real-life conditions. We design customized drying concepts, optimize process parameters and document all results transparently. This guarantees maximum process reliability, stable production workflows and significant reductions in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, thanks to integrated heat pump technology.

Operating in a closed system without any exchange with ambient air, HARTER’s technology ensures full climate independence. This protects sensitive aromas, appearance and bioactivity, and in many cases eliminates the need for additional additives or flavor enhancers. With decades of experience and hundreds of pet food applications, HARTER is a trusted partner for manufacturers worldwide – from small batches to large-scale industrial production.

In addition to the pet food sector, HARTER also supplies drying solutions for many other industries, including:

• Food industry
• Pharmaceutical and medical technology (GMP)
• Surface treatment and metal finishing
• Sludge drying / Drymex®
• Chemical industry
• Electronics and plastics processing

Awards

• HARTER has received multiple awards for innovation and energy efficiency, particularly for the development of its exhaust-free heat pump–based condensation drying technology, which is now recognized internationally as an industry benchmark across multiple sectors.

Certifications

• Our drying systems comply with all relevant quality and safety standards.
• For pharmaceutical and medical applications, we provide complete GMP-compliant documentation and qualification services (DQ, IQ, OQ, FAT, SAT).
• Our processes also meet the highest hygiene and food industry standards.

Additional Information

• With more than 2,000 systems installed worldwide, HARTER stands for long-term reliability and proven expertise.
• We offer everything from a single source – from product testing in our in-house technical center to engineering, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and comprehensive after-sales support.
• Our closed-system technology is fully independent of ambient climate, reduces energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, and ensures stable, reproducible processes.
• As a family-owned company, we combine innovative engineering with strong customer focus and long-term partnerships.