U.S. compressor manufacturer Copeland has announced plans to acquire Sustainable Process Heat (SPH), a German company specializing in industrial high-temperature heat pumps.
Already a key player in ammonia (R717) heat pumps through its Vilter brand, Copeland said the acquisition will broaden its industrial heating portfolio with “sustainable high-temperature solutions that help industrial customers transition away from fossil-fuel systems,” according to a statement on LinkedIn.
The acquisition comes as the European high-temperature heat pump market enters a phase of rapid expansion, driven by decarbonization mandates and efforts to electrify process heat. Analysts project annual growth of at least 15% through 2030 as industries move to phase out gas-fired steam boilers.
“The addition of SPH’s team and its differentiated technologies will enable us to serve a broader range of customers and applications,” said Ross Shuster, Copeland’s CEO. “This broader portfolio positions Copeland well to expand our rapidly growing industrial business by helping address the world’s increasing demand for sustainable heating solutions.”
“This broader portfolio positions Copeland well to expand our rapidly growing industrial business by helping address the world’s increasing demand for sustainable heating solutions.”
Ross Shuster, CEO of Copeland
High-temperature expertise
SPH brings a comprehensive portfolio of industrial steam heat pumps that cover a broad range of temperature, capacity and refrigerant requirements, according to Copeland. Its technologies, including the ThermBooster, can deliver steam up to 180°C (356°F) using natural and low-GWP refrigerants.
“By combining our high-temperature heat pump technology with Copeland’s expansive reach and expertise, we can help a broader range of industrial customers accelerate their transition to cleaner, more energy-efficient heating,” explained SPH’s founders, Andreas Muck, Tim Hamacher and Tor Hodne. “We are truly excited to join the Copeland team.”
SPH’s technology is already used at several major manufacturing sites, including Takeda’s pharmaceutical facility in Vienna, where a butane–water (R600–R718) high-temperature heat pump recently went into operation. The system can achieve process temperatures of 200°C (392°F) and generates steam for pharmaceutical production.
Several other high-temperature heat pump projects highlight the sector’s momentum. A 1.5MW (426.5TR) ammonia heat pump from Vilter has been installed at a Canadian dairy processing facility. A “first-of-its-kind” 4MW (1,137TR) pentane (R601a) heat pump from GEA is now operating at a Belgian sugar factory, and a 1.2MW (341TR) helium (R704)-based heat pump from Enerin will soon provide steam for a pharmaceutical plant in Switzerland.
Copeland said that SPH will continue to operate independently until the deal closes, which is expected by the end of 2025 pending “customary closing conditions.” Spirax Group, which currently holds a minority share in SPH, will retain its stake following the acquisition and plans to broaden SPH’s market access through its steam thermal solutions business and direct sales channels.
