At the 15th IEA Heat Pump Conference in Vienna in May 2026, Annex 59 will contribute to the technical programme with two presentations. Both are addressing the role of heat pumps in energy-efficient industrial drying processes.

Verena Sulzgruber from AIT will give a presentation on “Toward low-energy drying: Analysis of current processes and energy reduction potential utilizing heat pumps” in the session HTH11+AIP2, taking place on Friday, May 29, from 14:40 to 16:00.

A second contribution will be given by Leon P. M. Brendel from OST, who will present “Heat Pumps for Industrial Drying Processes – An Overview of Realized Case Studies” in session HTH15 on Thursday, May 28, from 14:40 to 16:00.

Want to explore the research in more detail? After the conference, all paper presentations will be available to download for free from this website.

This event will bring together international experts to share practical insights, research findings and guidance on the implementation of heat pumps in industrial drying processes.

The webinar will begin with an introduction by a representative of HPC, followed by a presentation from Verena Sulzgruber, AIT, who will introduce the Drying Toolbox and discuss the theoretical potential for energy savings in drying processes.

Philip Hofmann, Fraunhofer IEG, will then present on heat pump assisted superheated steam drying, highlighting an innovative approach to improving drying efficiency.

The programme continues with Cordin Arpagaus, OST, who will provide an overview of realized use cases for heat pumps in industrial drying processes and share practical examples from the field.

Finally, Michael Poelzl, AIT, will address the pathway from idea to execution, presenting guidelines and common obstacles for the successful implementation of heat pump drying solutions.

The webinar is aimed at professionals, researchers and industry stakeholders interested in energy-efficient drying technologies and the practical application of heat pumps in industrial processes.

Event Details

Date: June 10, 2026
Time: 10:00–11:30
Topic: Heat Pumps for Drying – Final Webinar

Registration is available via the following link.

Heat pump-assisted drying systems are highly energy-efficient alternatives to conventional thermal dryers. They are therefore increasingly attractive for industrial applications. Several companies are already demonstrating its effective use. See the case studies compiled by the Annex 59 project team for the food, feed, ceramics and biomass sectors.

By recovering and reusing latent and sensible heat from the drying exhaust air, such systems can significantly reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions and, under favorable financial and regulatory framework conditions, also lower operating costs.

However, integrating a heat pump dryer into an existing industrial drying process is a complex task. It requires a structured assessment of technical and non-technical factors such as e.g., temperature requirements, air and moisture balances, available waste heat streams, space and interfaces, control strategy, operating profile, or electricity tariffs.

To support the decision-making process, the Annex 59 team has developed a brief procedural guideline. It is designed specifically for industrial end-users and provides step-by-step orientation from the initial use case definition to implementation planning.

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology has introduced the Drying Toolbox, a simulation and analysis tool designed to enhance energy efficiency and heat recovery in industrial drying processes.

The Drying Toolbox empowers researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to evaluate and optimize drying operations with a focus on reducing energy consumption. It allows users to simulate different drying scenarios, assess energy demand, and explore a variety of heat recovery concepts, including exhaust air heat recovery and heat pump integration.

The tool provides in-depth insights through process schematics and Sankey diagrams, making it easier to interpret energy flows and identify opportunities for improvement.

Key Features of the Drying Toolbox include:

• Quantification of energy-saving potentials, helping users determine the most efficient solutions.
• Comparison of heat recovery configurations, enabling the evaluation of different alternatives to improve energy use.
• Visualization of energy flows, offering a clear, intuitive representation of how energy moves through the drying process.
• Identification of inconsistent or implausible input parameters, improving the reliability and accuracy of simulations.

This innovative tool is designed to support industrial practitioners and researchers in optimizing their drying processes from an energy perspective, contributing to more sustainable and cost-effective industrial operations.

The Drying Toolbox is now available for use.

More information on how to work with the tool is provided in an Online Tutorial.

The Operating Agent has released a new video on YouTube showcasing the innovative use of heat pump technology in industrial drying processes. This cutting-edge approach is set to transform how industries manage drying in future, offering significant benefits in both efficiency and sustainability.

Watch the video now to discover how heat pump drying is reshaping industrial processes, paving the way for a greener and more energy-efficient future.

We are very pleased to announce that Switzerland has formally joined IEA HPT Annex 59 project. We welcome our new participating country and look forward to working together and learning from Switzerland heat pump projects related to drying and their experience.

We are happy to announce that the US have formally joined IEA HPT Annex 59. We welcome our new participating country and look forward to working together and learning from their heat pump projects related to drying and their experience.

We are very pleased to announce that Germany has formally joined IEA HPT Annex 59. We welcome our new participating country and look forward to working together and learning from German heat pump projects related to drying and their experience.