manufactured · input
Precision-engineered valve assembly delivering an exact metered dose (25–100 µL) per actuation. Contains multiple polymer (nylon, acetal, PTFE) and stainless steel components. Must be qualified with specific formulations — formulation changes require valve re-qualification. Bespak (UK) leads with its BK357 platform; Aptar Pharma (France/US) and Coster Group (Italy) are the only other principal suppliers. Regulatory qualification takes 18–36 months.
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Source countries
3
Companies
1
Goods affected
0
Claims on record
What depends on it
1 essential American goods rely on pmdi metering valve somewhere upstream in their supply chain.
Where it comes from
Share of global supply, by country.
| Country | Share of supply |
|---|---|
| GBUnited Kingdom | 45% |
| FRFrance | 35% |
| ITItaly | 12% |
Who makes it
3 companies produce pmdi metering valve.
World's leading pMDI metering valve supplier. Its BK357 valve platform is used in more pMDI products globally than any other. Also provides CDMO fill-finish services for pMDIs and DPIs. Partnered with H&T Presspart on sustainable pMDI supply chain transition.
American drug delivery and packaging company (NYSE: ATR, HQ Crystal Lake IL; ~$3.5B revenue); Aptar Pharma division produces drug delivery devices and components including injectable drug delivery systems, needle-free injection components, and parenteral packaging. For IV bag applications, Aptar supplies injection site components and additive port systems. Aptar also produces metered-dose inhaler (MDI) valves for asthma inhalers (a major product line), nasal spray pumps, and eye dropper closures. The same Aptar company that makes the pumping mechanism in your nasal allergy spray also supplies components for IV bag injection ports.
Italian specialty valve and actuator manufacturer (HQ Carnago, Varese, Lombardy; private, family-owned; ~€350M revenue); the third-tier supplier in pMDI metering valves behind Bespak and Aptar Pharma. Coster Group manufactures pMDI metering valves for generic inhaler manufacturers and some branded products, predominantly serving European and Latin American markets. Coster also manufactures aerosol valves for personal care products (hairspray, deodorant) and industrial applications — the same Italian valve engineering company that makes the valve in a can of Axe body spray also makes the metering valve that delivers albuterol in some generic asthma inhalers. Coster's position in the pMDI valve market represents a strategic supply diversification option for pharmaceutical companies seeking alternatives to the Bespak/Aptar duopoly, though its smaller scale and qualification breadth limits uptake.
