Since its development in 1941, aerosol packaging has been in use throughout the years. Companies in the medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and home cleaning field have been using aerosols in their packaging.

Aerosol products are easy to use throughout the household and even when on the go. The most common products are air fresheners, disinfectants, and hairsprays. The containers come in aluminum bottles or cylinders that distribute the product inside in a foam or mist spray. You start this process by pushing a button or valve.

Further, in the aluminum pressurized can or bottle, a long tube spreads the valve to ensure it touches the content inside. For the product to be easily dispersed, it’s mixed with a propellant that’s vaporized as it is released. Let’s look at the different kinds of aerosol packaging.

Types of Aerosol Packaging Containers

The two major categories are:

• Traditional aerosol packaging technology
• Bag on valve aerosol packaging technology

Traditional Aerosol Packaging Technology

Aerosols can be packaged using containers made from different materials. They generally range from glass, metal, and plastic, speedily becoming a favorite amongst pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. 

1. Glass Containers

Glass containers are best used when a low amount of propellant and low pressure is used. They are best used in packaging topical and MDIs, and they don’t rust. However, there are two types of glass containers: Coated and uncoated.

2. Plastic Containers

Plastic is slowly gaining popularity amongst cosmetic and home cleaning products industries. They are, however, highly permeable to vapor, thus increasing oxidative degradation in the formulation.

3. Metal Containers

Metal containers are the most popular in aerosol packaging industries. The cans are light and last longer compared to glass and plastic, which risks breaking. They come in three different types:

Tin-Plated Steel

The pressurized can is coated by an electrolytic process using three sheets which are joined using the soldering method. They are then coated with epoxy or vinyl to prevent further reaction due to the heating process. The cans are mainly used for packaging topical aerosols.

Stainless Steel Containers

Stainless steel is one of the best metals for making a pressurized can as it requires no coating and is highly inactive. Due to its sterilized heat, epoxy coating is the best to use. These cans are very expensive, although they last longer and do not rust.

They are easily decorated and can be used for different aerosols, including cleaning detergents, disinfectants, and inhalation aerosols. The material is light and suitable for home use and pharmaceutical products, especially those used on the go.

Aluminum Containers

Like stainless steel containers, aluminum is very light in weight. They are used in disinfectants, air fresheners, and insecticide sprays industries.

Although hard to break when mishandled, they get exposure to corrosion. Therefore best for topical and MDIs aerosols.

Bag on Valve Aerosol Packaging Technology

This is the new and trending technology for packaging aerosols. It consists of aerosol valves, a vacuum bag, an aluminum pressurized can, an actuator, and caps.

How Does It Work?

The propellant and the material agent are packaged separately in different containers. This eases formulation and ensures that when in use, it does not release the propellant, thus reducing environmental and safety impact, making it a safe packaging technology.

Unlike traditional aerosol packaging technology, where the propellant is mixed with the product when spraying, the BOV technology dispenses the product only. This is because the bag is soldered to the aerosol valve and dipped inside the aluminum or steel pressurized can.

The product is then put in the bag, and the propellant is placed in the remaining space between the bag and the walls of the can. This allows the product inside the bag to be squeezed by the propellant when you press the actuator.

Because of this technology, the aerosol packaging is suitable for liquids, creams, and gels that need to be pure. However, BOV technology is not used for products that settle at the bottom and thus require shaking before use.

Benefits of Bag on Valve Packaging Technology

While most consumers preferred traditional aerosol packaging methods due to low price, bag on valve technology maintained its stand on quality and safety.

However, consumer needs are now on par with bag on valve packaging technology — safety first! This has therefore increased the demand for this type of product, and it has a variety of benefits to both the consumer and the business people selling it.

Let’s look at the general benefits of the bag on valve aerosol packaging technology.

1. The Product and the Propellant Do Not Mix

In BOV, the product is in a bag separate from the propellant, which prevents alteration. This is because the technology behind this formulation does not require mixing with the gas for the product to be dispersed.

Thus, it gives you a safety guarantee to the environment and reduces production costs.

2. Longer Shelf Life

The BOV technology ensures that the bag is four-layered to extend the product’s shelf life. The product also doesn’t come into contact with any oxygen, which can help extend its shelf life as well.

3. Effective Filling Process

Bag on valve technology is based on advanced filling machines, which are automatic and semi-automatic for you to choose from. Since these filling machines are much improved, they lead to different production effectiveness in terms of design and manufacturing.

4. Suitable for a Variety of Products

Bag on valve packaging technology can pack viscous and liquid products, including oil, car cleaning foam, insecticide, etc.

5. Used with Actuators and Cans

This means it can be used widely in the production of aerosols. Thus, you don’t need to design a non-standard actuator.

6. 100% Can Emptying

With bag on valve, you can use up to the last drop of your product. There is no need to tilt the can to a specific side when using BOV technology.

7. No Pumping Assistance Needed

The bag on valve aerosol packaging does not require pumping to spray—press the button to get a continuous spray. This differentiates it from the traditional methods requiring you to shake and assist the product before dispensing.

8. Even Spraying Pattern

When spraying, you get an even and fine mist because the BOV technology allows good aerosol formulation and valve. The fineness of the spray lets it be absorbed fast and completely.

9. Less Spray Noise

Unlike traditional aerosol packaging, bag on valve technology ensures that there is little or no noise when spraying.

10. Safe and Environmentally Friendly

BOV technology is safer and more environmentally friendly because uses safer, less-polluting propellants.

Comparison Between Traditional and Bag on Valve Technology

If you’re a beginner, you might wonder about the major differences between traditional and bag on valve technology. We’ve detailed six of them here. Read on:

1. Can Emptying

Bag on valve packaging technology allows you to empty the pressurized can to the last drop with ease. It provides up to 100% product emptying because the propellant is separated from the product, thus exerting pressure on the product bag and fully emptying it.

On the other hand, the traditional aerosol packaging method mixes the product with the propellant. As a result, the propellant gets depleted faster, leaving the unused product in the bottle. This means chances of wastage when using traditional aerosol packaging methods are very high.

2. Extended Shelf Life

Bag on valve packaging technology separates the product and the propellant, which protects exposure to oxygen by using an airtight pressurized can, resulting in a longer shelf life. The traditional packaging method exposes the product to more oxygen, which can make it degrade faster. 

3. Safety Performance

The BOV aerosol packaging technology does not release gas due to the isolation of gas material. It is gas propellant safe, and the pressurized can has compressed air that doesn’t have explosive components, meaning it is highly safe when performing.

On the other hand, traditional aerosol packaging mixes with gas agents, which are released together when you press the spray button. These gases are highly flammable and can cause explosions and burning, making the packaging unsafe for the environment.

4. Types of Product You Can Package

Bag on valve technology is flexible! It has given industries the freedom to choose and place many forms of product in these cans. In the current world, products ranging from cooking oil to cleaning detergents can be packed in pressurized cans for effortless dispensing.

These cans look classy and unique, which increases brand recognition. The products are also clean and free from contamination because you don’t touch the product even when holding the pressurized can.

Traditional aerosol packaging methods limited the type of products you could place in such pressurized cans because of product safety. This is due to the mixing of the propellant and the product, which causes contamination.

5. Noise Management

Bag on valve has no noise when spraying because the propellant controls air movement around the pressurized can or bag with the product.

Traditional aerosol packaging releases a lot of noise because the gas mixes with the product directly and fills the pressurized can, which is very dangerous. Again, the spray button needs exerted effort to function.

6. Spray Effect and Convenience

The bag on valve aerosol packaging technology has an even and continuous fan-shaped spray. Again, it does not harbor sediments, so it can be sprayed at any angle because the valve is long and touches the bottom of the pressurized can.

The traditional aerosol packaging method has a poor spray effect and a large impact force, making it difficult to be absorbed. The pressurized can harbors sediment, therefore, necessitating shaking before use. You’ll need to press the release button several times during use and maintain a specific horizontal angle when holding the pressurized can.

Bag on Valve Common Applications

As long as the product viscosity is low to allow passage through the valve, you can fill this kind of bag with your products.

The many issues that the traditional aerosol packaging method had have been resolved by the BOV system, marking major growth in the packaging industry. Below are the common products that use bag on valve aerosol packaging technology.

Cosmetic aerosol products include:

• Sun Care
• Lotions
• Creams
• Spray toners

Pharmaceutical Aerosol Products Include:

• Nasal Sprays
• Ear Washes
• Eye Washes
• First Aid Sprays

Food Aerosol Products Include:

• Cooking Oils
• Liquid Flavorings
• Vinegar
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Beverages 

Industrial Aerosol Products Include:

• Liquid Fire Extinguishers
• Air Fresheners
• Odor Eliminators
• Car Care Products
• Disinfectants
• Furniture Polish & Cleaners

Bag on valve technology is used in packaging many other products, and it’s widely used. Besides, it’s the best because it does not emit gases, thus protecting the environment, unlike the traditional packaging methods, which emit gases with every dispensing.

Bag on Valve Aerosol Packaging System

The system has different parts which add to its effectiveness and efficiency. Let’s briefly discuss each part below.

Aerosol Valve

It includes a male and female aerosol valve, which can be used for BOV packaging. The only difference is the filling speed and cost, which is higher in females than in males.

Vacuum Bag

The bag on valve vacuum bags are four layered. The layers are FDA-approved, laminated, and vary in size.

Aerosol Material

BOV aerosol packaging is suitable for liquids and any viscous product. They are also improved to handle oxygen-sensitive and sterilized products.

Aerosol Propellant

The BOV technology uses compressed air or nitrogen as the propellant. The two gases are environmentally friendly.

Aerosol Actuator

This is the best part of the bag on the valve aerosol packaging system. You’ll need no intense effort to press this actuator.

Aerosol Cans

Bag on valve packaging technology uses two types of cans: Aluminum and tin.

The cans are suitable for refilling aerosol products, although the aluminum type costs more but is much safer. Tin cans are prone to rust and therefore tend to cost less.

Conclusion

When bag on valve was first introduced, consumers thought it was expensive and not meeting the basic requirements of aerosol packaging. Later on, the narrative changed, and the consumers are now searching for products in terms of safety and not cost.

Bag on valve aerosol packaging technology is an example of a product that meets environmental safety requirements while giving you value for your money. This is because the valve in the bag allows you to use your product 100% and without shaking before use.

Bag on the valve technology is the way to go. Need say no more!