Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented, By Fuel Type (Natural Gas, Oil, Coal, Biomass, Electricity), By Application (Steam Generation, Heating, Power Generation, Process Heating, Other), By Industry Vertical (Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Chemical, Pulp & Paper, Others), By Pressure (Low Pressure ( 150 psi), Medium Pressure (150-600 psi), High Pressure (> 600 psi)), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.17 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.14%
Fastest Growing Segment	Process Heating
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.07 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market is expected to grow from USD 3.17 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.07 Billion by 2031 at a 8.14% CAGR. Fire tube food processing boilers are pressure vessels in which hot combustion gases pass through tubes surrounded by water to produce steam essential for operations such as sterilization, pasteurization, and cooking. The primary drivers of this market include the rising global demand for processed packaged foods and the industrial need for reliable, energy-efficient thermal generation capable of handling fluctuating load requirements. However, the market faces a significant challenge from increasingly stringent environmental mandates regarding carbon emissions, which are compelling facilities to scrutinize traditional fossil-fuel-fired units. According to VDMA, in 2024, the global trade volume for food processing and packaging machinery reached approximately €54.5 billion, underscoring the substantial capital investment in production infrastructure that directly influences the demand for utility equipment like boilers.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of the global processed food and beverage industry is the primary force propelling the adoption of fire tube boilers, as these units provide the critical steam loads required for continuous sterilization, cooking, and pasteurization lines. As manufacturers scale operations to meet consumer appetite for packaged goods, the installation of robust thermal systems becomes non-negotiable. This growth is evidenced by massive capital inflows into production capabilities; for instance, according to Food Industry Executive, April 2024, Daisy Brand announced a capital investment of $708 million to construct a new processing facility in Iowa, directly creating demand for industrial-grade utility systems. Such facility augmentations necessitate boilers that can deliver consistent high-pressure steam. Further highlighting the sector's sheer magnitude, according to FoodDrinkEurope, January 2025, in the 'Data & Trends 2024' report, the EU food and drink industry alone generated a turnover of €1.2 trillion, reflecting the immense operational scale that underpins the steady procurement of processing technologies.

Concurrently, the increasing demand for energy-efficient steam generation solutions is reshaping market dynamics, as producers seek to minimize fuel consumption and comply with decarbonization targets. Fire tube designs are increasingly favored for their ability to integrate with advanced burner management systems and economizers, offering a cost-effective route to lower carbon footprints without sacrificing thermal output. This shift toward sustainability is translating into tangible sales performance for equipment manufacturers. According to Bosch Home Comfort Group, March 2025, in their annual business figures announcement, the company’s industrial boiler segment achieved an international sales growth of nearly 11% in 2024, successfully defying negative trends seen in other heating sectors. This uptick underscores how food processors are prioritizing the replacement of obsolete thermal infrastructure with modern, high-efficiency units to safeguard long-term operational viability and reduce operating expenses.

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Key Market Challenges

Stringent environmental mandates regarding carbon emissions represent a significant barrier to the growth of the Global Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market. These regulations compel food and beverage manufacturers to rigorously scrutinize the long-term viability of traditional fossil-fuel-fired vessels. As authorities enforce tighter emission caps, companies face increased operational risks and potential financial penalties for utilizing carbon-intensive equipment. This regulatory pressure introduces hesitation in the procurement process, as facilities delay replacing aging infrastructure to avoid investing in assets that may become obsolete under future compliance standards. The uncertainty surrounding carbon taxation and permissible fuel types effectively extends the decision-making cycle for capital equipment.

The impact of these mandates is magnified by the sector's historical reliance on conventional fuels, which regulators are actively working to reduce. According to the World Bioenergy Association, in 2024, fossil fuels continued to supply over 75 percent of the total energy used for industrial heat generation globally. This statistic highlights the immense scale of the transition required, causing a direct slowdown in the sales of standard fire tube boilers as the industry grapples with the complexities and costs of aligning with decarbonization targets.

Key Market Trends

The integration of IoT-enabled remote monitoring and control systems is fundamentally reshaping the Global Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market. Processors are increasingly demanding digitized thermal management systems that ensure precise temperature control for sterilization while minimizing downtime through predictive analytics. This shift from manual oversight to automated, data-driven operations allows facilities to identify potential faults before they disrupt critical production lines. The momentum behind this digital transformation is significant; according to Rockwell Automation, June 2025, in the '10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report', 95% of manufacturers have invested in, or plan to invest in, AI and machine learning technologies over the next five years, directly influencing modern boiler control specifications.

Concurrently, there is a marked trend toward the utilization of biomass-compatible fire tube architectures, driven by the sector's adoption of circular economy principles. Food producers are prioritizing boilers capable of firing organic waste—such as husks, shells, and grounds—to convert disposal costs into fuel savings. This approach reduces reliance on fossil fuels and insulates operations from volatile energy prices. The scale of this transition is evident; according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, March 2025, in the 'Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025' report, global bioenergy capacity expanded by 4.6 gigawatts in 2024, reflecting growing industrial demand for infrastructure supporting sustainable, waste-derived thermal energy.

Segmental Insights

The Process Heating segment is emerging as the fastest-growing area within the Global Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market, driven by the escalating global demand for processed and packaged foods. This growth is primarily fueled by the critical need for precise steam generation in essential operations such as pasteurization, sterilization, and industrial cooking. Manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing reliable heating solutions to ensure product safety and extend shelf life in compliance with stringent hygiene standards established by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consequently, food processors are rapidly adopting efficient fire tube boilers to meet these rigorous production and safety requirements.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the Global Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market, supported by its extensive food manufacturing infrastructure and consistent demand for processed goods. This leadership is further strengthened by rigorous regulatory frameworks that drive the modernization of aging industrial systems. Notably, strict emission standards enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate the adoption of high-efficiency fire tube boilers to ensure environmental compliance and operational sustainability. Consequently, the convergence of large-scale production requirements and stringent government oversight establishes the region as the primary driver of market activity.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, Fulton showcased its innovative VSRT-E hybrid steam boiler at the BeerX exhibition in Liverpool, targeting the decarbonization needs of the brewing and food processing industries. The company presented this new hybrid technology, which combines a traditional gas-fired system with electric steam-raising capabilities, offering breweries a flexible pathway to reduce their carbon footprint. By participating in this key industry event, the manufacturer highlighted its commitment to supporting sustainable production processes. The hybrid solution allows operators to optimize energy usage and adapt to fluctuating steam demands, making it a vital development for modernizing thermal processing in the beverage sector.
• In January 2025, Superior Boiler announced a strategic partnership with Weishaupt to introduce a new sustainable heating solution integrating the Cheyenne high-efficiency condensing boiler with an Ultra-Low NOx burner package. This collaboration aimed to address the evolving environmental regulations in the food processing and industrial sectors by providing a system that significantly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions while maintaining high thermal performance. The joint offering was engineered to provide facility managers in food manufacturing plants with a reliable, compliant, and energy-efficient option for replacing aging fire tube boiler infrastructure, thereby supporting broader industry decarbonization goals.
• In May 2024, Cleaver-Brooks was acquired by Miura Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer known for its modular industrial boilers and food processing equipment. This significant transaction united two major players in the global steam generation market, combining expertise in packaged fire tube and water tube boiler designs. The acquisition was intended to accelerate the development of sustainable, energy-efficient boiler room solutions for industries such as food and beverage processing. Through this collaboration, the parent company aimed to leverage established distribution networks in North America while introducing advanced technologies to reduce emissions and optimize steam production for industrial clients.
• In February 2024, Babcock Wanson completed the acquisition of VKK Group, a German manufacturer specializing in industrial boiler solutions for the energy and food processing sectors. This strategic move was designed to strengthen the company’s market presence in Europe and expand its portfolio of fire tube and industrial heating technologies. By integrating the acquired entity's engineering capabilities and manufacturing facilities, the organization aimed to enhance its service offerings, including robust maintenance and turnkey project execution for food manufacturing plants. The consolidation allowed for a broader range of high-efficiency thermal equipment tailored to meet the rigorous demands of industrial customers.

Key Market Players

• Babcock Power Inc.,
• BABCOCK WANSON Group
• Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.
• Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH
• Clayton Industries Inc.
• Cleaver-Brooks Company, Inc.
• Ferroli Heating (South Asia) Pvt. Ltd.
• Hoval Group
• Hurst Boiler & Welding Co, Inc.
• Johnston Boiler Company

By Fuel Type	By Application	By Industry Vertical	By Pressure	By Region
Natural Gas Oil Coal Biomass Electricity	Steam Generation Heating Power Generation Process Heating Other	Oil & Gas Power Generation Manufacturing Food & Beverage Chemical Pulp & Paper Others	Low Pressure ( 150 psi) Medium Pressure (150-600 psi) High Pressure (> 600 psi)	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market, By Fuel Type:

• Natural Gas
• Oil
• Coal
• Biomass
• Electricity

• Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market, By Application:

• Steam Generation
• Heating
• Power Generation
• Process Heating
• Other

• Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market, By Industry Vertical:

• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation
• Manufacturing
• Food & Beverage
• Chemical
• Pulp & Paper
• Others

• Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market, By Pressure:

• Low Pressure ( 150 psi)
• Medium Pressure (150-600 psi)
• High Pressure (> 600 psi)

• Fire Tube Food Processing Boiler Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE