Freeze dryer manufacturers in Europe: overview and comparison
Food producers, pharma companies and laboratories looking for a freeze dryer in Europe deal with a small group of specialised manufacturers. The table lists established manufacturers with headquarters, main segments and scale as they describe themselves in their own publications (checked November 2026). WAVE publishes this page and is one of them; WAVE figures are taken live from the product pages.
European manufacturers by segment
| Manufacturer | Headquarters | Main segments | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAVE | Vienna, Austria | Food production, pharma and probiotics, laboratories | Laboratory units to complete industrial plants (BIG WAVE); prices published |
| GEA (RAY®, CONRAD®, LYOVAC®) | Søborg, Denmark (food freeze drying); group in Düsseldorf, Germany | Food and beverage, including instant coffee; pharmaceutical freeze dryers | Pilot plants, batch plants and continuous large-scale plants |
| IMA Life | Bologna, Italy | Pharmaceutical and biotech (aseptic processing) | Laboratory, pilot and industrial freeze dryers with loading systems |
| Kambič | Semič, Slovenia | Laboratory and process freeze dryers, including food applications | Laboratory to process scale |
| Martin Christ | Osterode am Harz, Germany | Laboratory, pilot, pharmaceutical and non-sterile production | Laboratory units to production systems |
| MechaTech Systems (LyoDry) | Thornbury near Bristol, United Kingdom | Pharma, food and beverage, research, conservation | Benchtop, pilot and production |
| Telstar (Azbil Telstar) | Terrassa (Barcelona), Spain | Pharmaceutical and biotech, laboratories | Laboratory to GMP production |
| ZIRBUS technology | Bad Grund (Harz), Germany | Laboratory, pilot and production, including bulk food and pharma | Laboratory to production |
The overview is not exhaustive and contains no prices or performance data of other manufacturers. Corrections and additions: [email protected].
WAVE figures for comparison
Every WAVE machine is designed and assembled in Vienna. Prices are published on the product pages (net, ex works); options chosen in the configurator change the final price.
| Model | Extraction Capacity | Loading Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FD260 | 25 Kg | 115 liters | from €21,900 |
| FD440 | 60 Kg | 192 liters | from €36,900 |
| FD470 | 4.6 kg/h | 192 liters | from €39,500 |
| FD450 | 130 Kg | 576 liters | from €44,700 |
| FD480 | 285 Kg | 576 liters | from €48,600 |
| FD440 MAX | 140 Liters | 220 liters | from €49,500 |
| FD490 | 170 kg/cycle | 30 trays | from €59,500 |
| IC550 | 8 kg/h | 240 Kg | from €98,500 |
| SL770 | 150 Kg | 530 liters | from €119,000 |
| SL990 | 250 Kg | 800 liters | from €149,000 |
| IC570MAX | 25 kg/h | 380 Kg | from €189,000 |
| 20570 | 100 kg/h | 2,000 Kg | from €950,000 |
| 40570 | 100 kg/h | 2,000 Kg | from €1,200,000 |
| BIG WAVE | 250 kg/h per BIG WIND | 1,008 trays | €989,750 |
Delivery and service at WAVE
- Standard delivery time 1 to 4 months depending on machine and options; express production slots (8 weeks) and super-express slots (5 weeks) for a surcharge.
- On-site commissioning in Europe, the USA, Asia, Africa and South America.
- Customer support around the clock via WhatsApp, video call and phone; extended warranty packages up to 3 years.
- Every machine is built to order with more than 178 options; quote within 24 hours.
What to compare in freeze dryer quotes
- Ice capacity per 24 hours or per cycle and the loading volume (trays, shelf area) – together they set the real batch size.
- Lowest condenser temperature and the type of vacuum pump (oil-sealed or dry) – relevant for sugary products, solvents and maintenance.
- Energy use per kilogram of water removed and the refrigerant used.
- Hygiene and compliance: food-grade stainless steel, CIP/SIP, GMP documentation, 21 CFR Part 11 – only pay for what your product needs.
- Delivery time, installation, training and the response time of service in your country.
- Total cost: machine, options, shipping, installation and running costs – not only the list price.
Frequently asked questions
Which companies manufacture industrial freeze dryers in Europe?
Established European manufacturers include WAVE (Vienna, Austria), GEA (Denmark and Germany), IMA Life (Bologna, Italy), Kambič (Semič, Slovenia), Martin Christ (Osterode am Harz, Germany), MechaTech Systems (near Bristol, United Kingdom), Telstar (Terrassa, Spain), ZIRBUS (Bad Grund, Germany). GEA and WAVE also build plants for food production; IMA Life and Telstar concentrate on pharmaceutical freeze drying; Martin Christ, ZIRBUS, Kambič and MechaTech Systems cover laboratory to production scale.
Which freeze dryer manufacturer publishes its prices?
WAVE lists starting prices for every freeze dryer on its product pages: FD260 from €21,900; FD440 from €36,900; FD470 from €39,500; FD450 from €44,700; FD480 from €48,600; FD440 MAX from €49,500; FD490 from €59,500; IC550 from €98,500; SL770 from €119,000; SL990 from €149,000; IC570MAX from €189,000; 20570 from €950,000; 40570 from €1,200,000. The complete BIG WAVE plant costs €989,750 net ex works. For the other manufacturers on this page we found no published list prices (November 2026); they quote on request.
How long does delivery of a WAVE freeze dryer take?
The standard delivery time is 1 to 4 months depending on machine and options. Express production slots (8 weeks) and super-express slots (5 weeks) are available for a surcharge. WAVE commissions machines on site in Europe, the USA, Asia, Africa and South America.
Which WAVE freeze dryer fits my production volume?
Ice capacity as listed on the product pages: FD260: 25 Kg; FD440: 60 Kg; FD470: 4.6 kg/h; FD450: 130 Kg; FD480: 285 Kg; FD440 MAX: 140 Liters; FD490: 170 kg/cycle; IC550: 8 kg/h; SL770: 150 Kg; SL990: 250 Kg; IC570MAX: 25 kg/h; 20570: 100 kg/h; 40570: 100 kg/h; BIG WAVE: 250 kg/h per BIG WIND unit. The machine guide at /en/know-how/machine-guide helps with the choice.
Where is WAVE based?
WAVE is based in Vienna, Austria, where every machine is designed and assembled. Offers are issued by WAVE Trockensysteme GmbH in Vienna as EU importer; WAVE machines are in use in more than 30 countries.