Wheat Heat Treatment Market Size & Growth, Forecast [2033]

Wheat Heat Treatment Market Overview

Global wheat heat treatment market size is anticipated to be worth USD 442.95 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 511.24 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 1.6%.

The wheat heat treatment market plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, stability, and quality of wheat-based products, particularly in bakery, brewing, and feed applications. The market is driven by increased demand for low-microbial-load flour, which is critical for ready-to-eat food formulations. More than 3.1 billion people globally consume wheat as a staple, with over 780 million metric tons of wheat produced annually as of 2023. Heat-treated wheat flour improves dough rheology, imparts better texture to products like cookies and cakes, and enhances enzyme stability. Nearly 68% of the wheat flour used in industrial baking operations in developed countries is subjected to heat treatment to ensure microbial control. In Japan, up to 40% of soft wheat flour processed annually undergoes dry heat treatment to meet stringent food safety regulations. Manufacturers in Europe and North America are incorporating advanced heat treatment systems, increasing plant capacity by up to 25% between 2022 and 2024. The heat treatment process also extends shelf life and enhances gluten properties, which is a critical factor in premium bakery applications.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising demand for safe, low-microbial-load flour in RTE bakery products.

Top Country/Region: North America leads the market due to food safety regulations and industrial-scale baking.

Top Segment: Bread and cookie applications dominate due to high-quality gluten and better crumb structure needs.

Wheat Heat Treatment Market Trends

A prominent trend in the wheat heat treatment market is the shift towards eco-friendly thermal technologies that reduce energy consumption. In 2023, over 42% of wheat processors in Europe implemented energy-efficient dryers and ovens, reducing processing time by 18% while maintaining wheat quality. Another trend is the rising adoption of wet heat treatment technologies in Asia-Pacific, with China processing over 6.5 million tons of wheat using hydrothermal methods in 2023 alone.

The demand for customized flour blends is another key trend, especially in the premium bakery sector. Approximately 12% of global flour output is now tailored to client specifications, using varying levels of heat treatment. This customization is increasingly requested in North America and Europe, where up to 30% of commercial bakeries source specially treated flour.

A growing trend is the use of heat-treated wheat in gluten-free and allergen-sensitive product lines. Although gluten-free foods do not typically contain wheat, low-gluten and modified wheat flours processed through specific thermal techniques have seen a 20% rise in niche markets like sports nutrition.

Additionally, innovations in continuous thermal processing have enabled large-scale producers to treat 10,000 kg/hour of wheat efficiently, a 22% increase from previous batch-based systems. This trend is fueling investments in automation and AI-based monitoring of the heat treatment process to optimize temperature, moisture content, and microbial load—achieving consistent quality and cost-efficiency.

Wheat Heat Treatment Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals.

The primary driver in the wheat heat treatment market is the growing demand for thermally stabilized wheat in food safety-sensitive applications, especially in ready-to-eat and packaged bakery goods. With over 2.7 million cases of foodborne illness annually in the U.S. alone, heat treatment offers a solution by reducing microbial risks. The need for uniform enzyme activity in flour for precision baking is also fueling demand. In Germany, 65% of industrial bakeries used heat-treated flour in 2023. Moreover, the growing urban population—over 4.4 billion globally—has increased consumption of processed foods, thus raising the importance of treated wheat in supply chains.

RESTRAINT

Demand for refurbished equipment.

One of the main restraints is the high cost of initial capital investment in advanced heat treatment systems, which often range between $150,000 and $500,000 per unit. Smaller mills, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa, opt for refurbished systems with limited capacity, restricting production volumes to 1–3 tons/hour compared to 10+ tons/hour in fully automated facilities. This inhibits the consistent output of standardized, treated flour. In India, 43% of regional mills still rely on non-automated thermal processing, which affects output quality and limits market expansion.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalized medicines.

A significant opportunity lies in the integration of heat-treated wheat into plant-based protein products. With more than 10% of the global population adopting plant-based diets, there's a surge in wheat protein isolates that require heat stabilization for performance in non-meat applications. In the U.S., wheat-based meat analogues grew by 27% in 2023, and heat-treated flour is used to improve texturization. Moreover, specialty feed markets are turning to thermally treated wheat due to better digestibility for animals, opening new market segments in pet food and aquaculture.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs and expenditures.

The wheat heat treatment market faces challenges due to rising energy costs. As of 2024, gas and electricity costs in Europe rose by 12%, which directly impacts heat treatment operations. A typical thermal unit consumes between 200 and 350 kWh per batch, increasing overheads for large-scale processors. Moreover, fluctuations in global wheat supply—affected by geopolitical tensions and climate-related issues—further challenge consistent treatment operations. In 2023, over 20 million metric tons of wheat were impacted by export restrictions, causing supply delays and cost hikes.

Wheat Heat Treatment Market Segmentation

The wheat heat treatment market is segmented by type and application. By type, it includes dry treatment and wet treatment, each used for specific end-use requirements. By application, it spans across bakery products like bread, cakes, cookies, as well as animal feed, sauces, and brewing. These categories differ by their required moisture control, enzymatic activity, and microbial load reduction, making heat treatment essential in diversified sectors.

By Type

Dry Treatment: Dry treatment involves subjecting wheat or flour to high-temperature, low-moisture conditions. In 2023, dry-treated wheat represented over 58% of the market volume. This process is widely used in baking and confectionery industries for producing flour with reduced microbial counts and improved enzyme stability. In the U.S., over 4 million metric tons of wheat were treated using dry methods in 2023. These systems typically operate at 130°C to 160°C and can handle 5–10 tons per hour in industrial settings.
Wet Treatment: Wet treatment uses steam or water injection and is preferred for applications needing increased starch gelatinization or moisture retention. This technique is gaining popularity in Asia-Pacific, where over 2.2 million metric tons of wheat were processed using hydrothermal treatment in 2023. Wet-treated wheat is often used in brewing and animal feed applications, where enhanced digestibility and fermentation control are crucial. This method helps maintain 14%–16% moisture content post-treatment, ideal for soups and sauces.

By Application

Bread: Bread production is the largest segment, utilizing over 35% of heat-treated wheat globally. Treated flour enhances loaf volume and shelf life. In France, 70% of commercial bakeries use thermally stabilized flour for artisan and industrial bread.
Cake: Cakes require flour with controlled enzyme activity to avoid collapsing during baking. Over 1.8 million metric tons of treated flour were used globally for cake applications in 2023. Japan leads this segment, with 48% of its cake manufacturers using customized heat-treated blends.
Cookie: Cookies benefit from reduced spread and improved texture through treated flour. The U.K. reported that over 55% of its cookie exports in 2023 were based on heat-treated formulations.
Feed:Treated wheat improves feed digestibility and microbial safety. In China, 6 million metric tons of treated wheat went into livestock feed in 2023, supported by growing demand in poultry and swine industries.
Brewing: In Germany and the Czech Republic, over 450,000 metric tons of wheat were processed for brewing applications in 2023. Heat treatment enhances malt profile and fermentation consistency.
Sauce and Soup: Thickening agents made from treated flour are widely used in sauces and soups. In North America, 1.3 million metric tons were utilized in processed food manufacturing in 2023.
Others: Includes ready-to-eat mixes and baby food. In Australia, 250,000 metric tons of treated flour went into infant nutrition products in 2023 due to stringent microbial limits.

Wheat Heat Treatment Market Regional Outlook

The wheat heat treatment market shows strong regional variances based on infrastructure, regulatory norms, and food processing demand.

North America

North America dominates the market due to advanced food processing capabilities. In 2023, over 8.5 million metric tons of wheat flour were heat-treated, with the U.S. accounting for 6.2 million metric tons. Strict FDA regulations require microbial load below 100 CFU/g in certain RTE applications, prompting widespread adoption of thermal stabilization.

Europe

Europe is the second-largest region, with over 7.1 million metric tons of wheat processed using heat treatment in 2023. Countries like Germany, France, and the U.K. lead the way, especially in bakery, cookie, and brewing sectors. Nearly 68% of commercial bakeries in Germany adopted automated heat treatment systems by 2024.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is rapidly emerging as a major player, led by China, India, and Japan. In 2023, the region treated over 9.3 million metric tons of wheat, driven by industrial demand and export-oriented food production. China alone accounted for 6.5 million metric tons, utilizing both dry and wet treatment methods.

Middle East & Africa

This region is gradually expanding its capacity, particularly in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. In 2023, over 2.2 million metric tons of wheat underwent heat treatment. The growth is supported by rising investments in food safety and flour milling technologies, especially in urban centers.

List of Top Wheat Heat Treatment Market Companies

Nisshin Flour Milling
Siemer Milling Company
WRIGHT’S
FWP Matthews Ltd
Flinn NV
CJ cheiljedang
DAESUN Flour Mills
PAGE HOUSE FOODS
Tekirda Flour Industry
NIPPON FLOUR MILLS Co., Ltd
Sajo DongAwon

Top Two companies with highest share

Nisshin Flour Milling: Treated over 1.5 million metric tons of wheat in 2023 using advanced dry heat systems, dominating the Japanese market.

Siemer Milling Company: Handled approximately 1.2 million metric tons of treated wheat in 2023 across three U.S. locations, specializing in cookie and cake applications.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The wheat heat treatment market is witnessing increasing investments across multiple regions, with a focus on automation, sustainability, and capacity expansion. In 2023, over $700 million was allocated globally toward upgrading wheat heat treatment facilities, with North America accounting for 38% of these investments. Manufacturers are replacing legacy batch-based systems with continuous dry heat treatment equipment capable of handling up to 10,000 kg/hour. These upgrades enhance consistency, reduce energy costs by 20%, and improve microbial deactivation rates to under 50 CFU/g.

Significant investments are also being made in Asia-Pacific. China, for example, invested in over 50 new hydrothermal wheat processing lines in 2023, each capable of treating 100 tons/day. India followed suit with state-backed initiatives that led to the establishment of four new grain processing parks, with wheat heat treatment as a key component. These parks are projected to process 2.5 million metric tons annually by 2025.

In Europe, investment is being funneled into R&D for hybrid treatment systems that combine dry and moist heat for more efficient starch modification. Germany allocated over €120 million for sustainable food processing technologies, and 25% of that is directly targeting wheat treatment improvements.

Emerging opportunities lie in integrating AI for real-time monitoring and predictive analytics during thermal processing. More than 120 flour mills in the U.S. implemented sensor-based systems in 2023, achieving a 15% increase in energy efficiency and a 22% improvement in product consistency.

New Product Development

New product development in the wheat heat treatment market is being driven by the need for enhanced flour functionality, microbiological safety, and compatibility with modern baking and processed food requirements. In 2023, over 130 new heat-treated wheat flour products were launched globally, targeting segments like gluten-modified baking, instant mixes, and high-fiber snacks.

One major innovation is enzyme-inhibited treated wheat flour, which remains stable during long shelf-life periods and is ideal for frozen bakery applications. Developed in Germany, this flour variant was adopted by 250 bakeries in 2023 and showed a 30% improvement in texture retention after thawing. Another innovation is low-viscosity treated flour for sauce and soup production. This product enables a 15% reduction in thickening agent usage, saving costs for large-scale food manufacturers.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan introduced a thermally pre-gelatinized wheat flour specifically for sponge cakes, enabling faster mixing and better batter aeration. This flour is now used in 22% of packaged cake brands sold in Japan. South Korean firms also developed wheat flour treated with infrared heating, preserving antioxidant compounds while reducing bacterial load to under 10 CFU/g.

The market is also seeing the introduction of heat-treated wheat germ and bran-based ingredients, addressing consumer demand for high-fiber and gut-health products. In Canada, two new product lines based on thermally stabilized wheat bran were launched in 2023, each contributing over 4,000 tons of annual output for the health snack segment.

Five Recent Developments

Siemer Milling Company: launched a new continuous wheat heat treatment plant in Illinois with a capacity of 15 tons/hour in Q1 2024, increasing their total treated wheat output by 25% within the first 6 months.
Nisshin Flour Milling: introduced a new low-gluten heat-treated flour in Q3 2023 for confectionery applications, with over 2,400 metric tons sold in Japan within the first four months.
CJ CheilJedang: announced an investment of $45 million in their South Korean plant in 2023 to install hybrid thermal treatment systems, capable of switching between dry and moist heat modes.
DAESUN Flour Mills: started exporting thermally treated wheat flour to Southeast Asia in late 2023, reaching over 11,000 tons of exports within the first 8 months, primarily to Thailand and Vietnam.
Flinn NV: developed an AI-integrated thermal monitoring system for wheat processing in 2024, resulting in a 22% reduction in energy consumption and a 16% improvement in microbial reduction consistency.

Report Coverage of Wheat Heat Treatment Market

The wheat heat treatment market report provides a comprehensive analysis of all key facets influencing the global demand for thermally processed wheat. It covers market dynamics, including drivers such as the rise in demand for safe, ready-to-eat food, restraints such as high equipment costs, and opportunities in areas like plant-based foods and high-protein flours. The report analyzes both dry and wet treatment types, highlighting the shift toward automation and high-efficiency systems across developed and developing regions.

Geographic coverage spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, detailing regional variations in capacity, regulatory standards, and application-specific demand. For example, North America processes over 8.5 million metric tons of wheat using heat treatment, while Asia-Pacific exceeded 9.3 million metric tons in 2023 alone, driven by bakery and animal feed applications.

The report segments the market by application, covering bread, cake, cookies, feed, sauces, brewing, and others. Each segment is analyzed in terms of market size, usage patterns, and growth potential. For instance, the bread segment used over 35% of the total heat-treated wheat globally in 2023, with high adoption in European and Middle Eastern commercial bakeries.

Company analysis includes profiles of top manufacturers like Nisshin Flour Milling and Siemer Milling Company, detailing their production capacity, innovation focus, and expansion strategies. Additionally, the report includes insights into new product development trends, with over 130 new heat-treated flour products launched globally in 2023, and highlights investments exceeding $700 million for facility upgrades and technology enhancements.