Interest in heat pumps appears to be rising in several parts of the world according to various forecasts, and if this trend continues, there will be growing demand for heat exchanger plates – the thin, corrugated sheets that are the heart of heat exchangers.
Different analyses indicate that demand for heat pumps will grow in the coming years, which means the volume of heat exchanger plates will need to increase significantly to meet the need. There are major market shares to capture for those who act now, says Lennart Johansson, Business Manager Line Solutions at AP&T.
This development is visible both within the EU and globally. In Asia, especially China, there is rapid domestic development, and the U.S. market is also expected to expand.
It’s always difficult to draw conclusions too quickly, and different players may have slightly different views on needs and development pace around the world. But several forecasts suggest that much higher production volumes than today will be required, says Lennart Johansson.
Technology that changes the game
With over 60 years of experience in sheet metal forming, AP&T has developed a complete solution that combines press, tooling, automation, and line control in an integrated system. This has made them one of Europe’s leading suppliers of complete production lines for heat exchanger plates.
The core of the line is AP&T’s proprietary servo press, designed to significantly reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
Thanks to our servo technology, energy use can be radically reduced compared to conventional hydraulic presses, while precision increases and surface quality improves. This is a technological leap that we know has a major positive impact on both production capacity and cost per plate, says Lennart Johansson.
Higher capacity, lower TCO
A production line from AP&T can manufacture up to approx. 3,000 plates per hour, depending on plate geometry and process layout. But according to Lennart Johansson, speed is only part of competitiveness.
Reliability is just as important. Our lines are built to run steadily, around the clock, if desired, with high availability. This is a crucial part of Total Cost of Ownership, where energy efficiency, uptime, and service needs are combined to provide a long-term low cost, he says.
AP&T’s lines often have a lifespan of over 20 years, and the company offers service, upgrades, and technical support throughout the period.
That’s exactly what we mean when we talk about ‘Excellent Lifetime Performance,’ says Lennart Johansson.
Turnkey solutions for fast profitability
For companies looking to start their own production of heat exchanger plates, AP&T offers fully tested and production-ready lines that can be up and running quickly.
Our lines are designed to be operational from day one. Many of our customers find that the line has paid for itself within one to two years. We achieve this thanks to high, stable output and low energy consumption, says Lennart Johansson.
For more established players, AP&T can also offer fully customized solutions that can be adapted and modularized as needed, while still relying on the same proven core technology used in all AP&T lines.
An opportunity for Europe to strengthen its self-sufficiency
European manufacturing does involve somewhat higher production costs than in some other regions, but this is compensated by several strategic advantages, not least factors such as a high level of technology, quality, and the possibility for close collaboration throughout the entire value chain.
In both the EU and the U.S., the most established manufacturing companies can be found, with long experience and strong market presence. At the same time, domestic production in China is growing rapidly, which both increases competition and creates new business opportunities for suppliers of advanced production technology.
The competence and innovative power in Europe are high, and there are good opportunities to take a strong position going forward. But competition will increase globally, so timing is important for those who want to build modern and efficient production capacity, says Lennart Johansson.
FACTS:
AP&T’s production lines for heat exchanger plates
- Capacity: Up to 3,000 plates/hour depending on size and process
- Energy savings: Up to 10 times lower energy consumption compared to conventional hydraulic presses
- Availability: High reliability and stable uptime
- Lifespan: 20+ years
- ROI: Typically 1–2 years, depending on volume and energy price
Learn more about AP&T’s complete production solutions for Heat Exchanger Plates