Turboden Supplies Mechanical Vapor Recompressor for Italian Sugar Producer

Per signed agreement with Co.Pro.B. – Italia Zuccheri, Turboden will supply its centrifugal mechanical vapor recompressor (MVR) system to replace fossil-fuel-based steam generation with a more efficient, sustainable, and electrified solution at a sugar production factory. Currently, the factory uses a gas-fired boiler to produce steam for the evaporation columns that concentrate sugar juice.

The MVR system will instead recover low-pressure vapor generated in the final evaporation stage—vapor that would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere—and upgrades it to the required process conditions. It will recompress steam from 0.38 bar(a) and 80°C to 1.8 bar(a) and 117°C, delivering a total output of 22 tons per hour. By reusing internally generated steam, the system will notably reduce natural gas consumption while ensuring steam quality, reliability, and improved overall process efficiency.

“This new project in the electrification of high‑temperature process heat—particularly for industrial steam production—further strengthens Turboden’s position as a player in this field,” said Paolo Bertuzzi, CEO and Managing Director, Turboden. “Following the recent start‑up of the world’s largest steam‑producing heat pump for Delfort’s paper mill in Finland, Co.Pro.B.’s decision to adopt our technology represents a clear confirmation of the trust inour technology. MVR is a fundamental technology to decarbonize industrial processes and Turboden, with its new family of proprietary compressors, intends to play a role.”

Key features of the MVR solution include:

• High-compression-head centrifugal compressor
• Inverter-driven regulation for optimized performance and flexibility
• Materials compliant with food-grade requirements
• Integrated steam cleaning system to remove residual sugar from the flow
• Special sealing solutions designed for vacuum inlet conditions, preventing air infiltration
• Seamless integration into the existing evaporation process

Co.Pro.B. required the MVR system to be installed within an existing space featuring strict dimensional constraints. In response, Turboden’s engineering team developed a compact solution that fit within the available footprint while maintaining optimal accessibility and service clearances. The system will be delivered on a preassembled skid to further streamline implementation, designed within the maximum transportable dimensions.

A modular, compact design and delivery will significantly reduce onsite erection and commissioning activities, minimizing downtime and enabling faster plant integration. The centrifugal MVR will ensure high compression performance and effortless integration with the plant’s existing evaporation stages.

Waste Heat-to-Power

In March 2026, Turboden America was selected by Tallgrass to supply three waste heat-to-power (WHP) organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plants at gas compressor stations in Columbus, OH, Chandlersville, OH, and St. Paul, IN. The WHP units will each supply approximately 10 MW of additional clean electricity for rural utilities—recycling turbine exhaust heat into baseload, grid-stabilizing power.

The projects will also be supported by Turboden’s cloud-based AI monitoring system, Turboanalytics, to provide anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and forecasting. These contracts qualify as waste energy recovery properties and are eligible for investment tax credit incentives of up to 50% under the Inflation Reduction Act, improving operational margins and long-term value.