Turboden, a company of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries group and a global leader in energy efficiency and industrial decarbonization solutions, has signed an agreement with Co.Pro.B. – Italia Zuccheri, an Italian sugar producer with an integrated supply chain, for the supply of Turboden’s first centrifugal Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) system.
“This new project in the electrification of high-temperature process heat—particularly for industrial steam production—further strengthens Turboden’s position as a key player in this sector. Following the recent commissioning of the world’s largest heat pump for steam production at Delfort’s paper mill in Finland, Co.Pro.B.’s decision to adopt our technology clearly confirms the trust placed in our solutions. Mechanical Vapor Recompression systems represent a fundamental technology for the decarbonization of industrial processes, and Turboden, with its new family of proprietary compressors, aims to play a significant role,” said Paolo Bertuzzi, CEO & Managing Director of Turboden S.p.A.
Co.Pro.B., an Italian agricultural cooperative that operates two sugar plants and manages the entire supply chain from sugar beet cultivation, aims to replace fossil fuel-based steam production with a more efficient, sustainable, and electrified solution.
Currently, the plant uses a gas-fired boiler to produce steam for the evaporation columns that concentrate the sugar juice. Turboden’s Mechanical Vapor Recompression system will replace this setup by recovering low-pressure steam generated in the final stage of evaporation—steam that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere—and bringing it to the required process conditions.
The system will recompress steam from 0.38 bar(a) and 80°C to 1.8 bar(a) and 117°C, with a total capacity of 22 tonnes per hour. By reusing internally generated steam, the solution will significantly reduce natural gas consumption while ensuring the same steam quality, reliability, and improved overall process efficiency.
A key requirement from Co.Pro.B. was the installation of the MVR system within an existing space with strict dimensional constraints. Turboden’s engineering team developed a compact solution that fits perfectly within the available area while maintaining optimal accessibility and sufficient space for maintenance.
To further simplify implementation, the MVR system will be delivered on a pre-assembled skid, designed within maximum transportable dimensions. This approach will significantly reduce on-site installation and commissioning activities, minimizing downtime and ensuring faster integration into the plant.
The Turboden centrifugal MVR system will ensure high compression performance and optimal integration with the existing evaporation stages.
Key features of the solution include:
- High-head centrifugal compressor
- Inverter-based control for optimized performance and increased flexibility
- Materials compliant with food-grade requirements
- Integrated steam cleaning system to remove sugar residues from the flow
- Special sealing solutions designed for vacuum suction conditions, preventing air ingress
- Seamless integration into the existing evaporation process
With this agreement, Turboden further strengthens its position as a technology partner for energy-intensive industries seeking proven decarbonization solutions that are fast to install, reliable, and highly efficient.