Aerosol propellants

Your Professional Aerosol propellants Manufacturer In China

 

 

 

Aerosol propellants are the driving force behind any spray product, responsible for delivering the contents of an aerosol can in a fine, controlled mist or stream. These propellants are typically gases stored under pressure which, when released, carry the active ingredients out of the container.

 

In pharmaceutical inhalers, the aerosol propellant is not merely a "spray power source"; it is a crucial component of the drug formulation and must meet extremely high requirements for safety, efficacy, stability, and compatibility.

 

Core Functions
The primary functions of the propellant in an inhaler are:

 Nebulizing the drug: Dispersing drug solutions or suspensions into appropriately sized (typically 1-5 micrometers) aerosol particles, allowing them to deposit deep within the lungs.

 Providing propulsion: Providing sufficient pressure to expel the drug from the device.

 Serving as a solvent or carrier: In many formulations, the propellant itself is a solvent or suspension medium for the drug.

 

 

HFA 134a, also known as 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane and Norflurane, is a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant widely used in pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) for respiratory drug delivery. Following the phase-out of ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants under the Montreal Protocol, HFA 134a emerged as a safe and effective alternative.

 

The characteristics of HFA 134a propellant:

Appearance: Boiling point is about -26.3 ℃, with moderate vapor pressure, and it could be liquefied easily for the storage;
Chemically Inert: Having certain level of chemical inertness to most Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) can prevent API degradation even during long term storage;
Safe and well tolerated: HFA 134a propellant has a fast elimination, with no evidence of accumulation in the body;
Ozone-friendly: ODP 0.

 

 

HFA 152a (1,1-Difluoroethane) is an advanced low GWP propellant engineered to meet the evolving demands of industries seeking effective, environmentally conscious solutions.

 

As the leading low GWP aerosol propellant alternative to HFA-134a and HFA-227ea, it offers pharmaceutical OEMs and formulation scientists a strategic pathway to sustainable, future-compliant Metered-Dose Inhaler (pMDI) platforms. With a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 124-over 90% lower than legacy options-this HFA 152a medical propellant directly addresses the economic and compliance pressures of global phasedown schedules like the Kigali Amendment.

 

The characteristics of HFA 152a propellant:

Appearance: Boiling point is about -23.8℃;
Safe and well tolerated: HFA 152a propellant has a fast elimination, with no evidence of accumulation in the body;
Ozone-friendly: ODP 0

Reduces the carbon footprint of MDIs by 90%

Low GWP, HFA 152a GWP:124

 

 

 

CAS Number:	811-97-2
EC Number:	212-377-0
Molecular Formula:	C2H2F4
Structural Formula:	CF3CH2F
Molecular weight(g/mol):	102.3
Appearance:	Clear, colorless liquid and vapor
Critical pressure:	4.067 MPa
boiling point:	-26.3°C
Density:	1.206g/cm3
Density of liquid (25 ):	1.207 g/cm3
Solubility in water (25):	0.15 W%
UN No:	3159
Boiling point/boiling range :	Boiling point/boiling range -26.1 °C (-15.0 °F) at 1,013 hPa
Flash point :	Non flammable
Evaporation rate :	> 1 (CCL4=1.0)
Latent heat of evaporation in boiling point:	215.0KJ/kg
ODP:	0
Other names	Freon 134a Dymel 134a Forane 134a Genetron 134a HFA-134a HFC-134a R-134a Suva 134a Norflurane 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane

 

 

Advantages：

1. Environmentally friendly: HFA 134a propellant is widely recognized for its low environmental impact, serving as a sustainable alternative to conventional chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants. CFC-based propellants have been largely phased out worldwide due to their harmful effects. Environmentally conscious businesses seeking to integrate greener solutions into their offerings will find HFA-134a propellant a responsible and forward‑thinking choice.

 

2. Safe and non-toxic: Our HFA-134a propellant is non-toxic and highly safe, making it suitable for a broad spectrum of applications. It presents no significant health risks to end-users, thereby serving as a reliable option for sensitive industries such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

 

3. Efficient and reliable: HFA 134a propellant is an efficient and reliable solution, consistently delivering optimal performance across diverse applications. Rigorously tested in varied environments and conditions, it ensures stable and predictable results. For merchants committed to product quality and consistency, HFA-134a offers a trusted foundation for high‑standard formulations.

 

4. Cost-effective: HFA134a propellant delivers exceptional cost-efficiency, offering merchants outstanding value without compromising on quality. As a wholesale manufacturer, we are dedicated to supplying this reliable solution at highly competitive prices, empowering our clients to enhance profitability while consistently meeting stringent quality standards.

 

Limitations：

1.Environmental Impact
• High Global Warming Potential (GWP): Rated at approximately 1300, indicating significant greenhouse gas impact.
• Lifecycle Emissions: Primary emissions occur during the use phase through spray release; uncontrolled leakage contributes directly to atmospheric warming.

 

2.Technical & User Experience Challenges
• Electrostatic Buildup: High-speed spraying may generate static electricity, potentially causing discomfort during initial patient use.
• Formulation & Delivery Control: Requires precise particle engineering in suspension or solution systems to ensure dosage uniformity. Critical parameters include particle size control (MMD, MMAD) and optimization for valve shear conditions.

 

3.Supply Chain & Market Factors
• Concentrated Supplier Power: Limited availability of pharmaceutical-grade purification capacity creates a supplier-concentrated market.
• Price Volatility: Costs are susceptible to fluctuations in supply, geopolitical factors, and shifts in the upstream hydrofluoric acid industry.

 

 

Advantages：

1. Very Low Global Warming Potential (GWP): This is its standout feature. HFA 152a has a GWP of 124 (over 100 years), which is approximately ~6 times lower than HFA 134a (GWP 1430) and dramatically lower than older CFCs. This makes it one of the most climate-friendly propellant options available for MDIs.

 

2. Effective Drug Delivery: HFA 152a can produce aerosols with particle sizes suitable for deep lung deposition (respirable fraction). HFA 152a is compatible with a range of suspension and solution formulations, allowing for stable drug products.

 

3. Regulatory & Strategic Advantage: As global regulations (like the EU F-Gas regulation and Kigali Amendment) increasingly phase down high-GWP HFAs, HFA 152a offers a future-proof solution for pharmaceutical companies.

 

It allows companies to differentiate their products with a "lower carbon footprint" label, which is becoming important for sustainability-conscious healthcare systems.

 

Limitations：

1.Flammability (The Primary Challenge):In its pure form, HFA 152a is flammable. While MDIs are engineered to keep the headspace concentration below the flammable limit, this requires careful formulation, manufacturing controls, and specific canister/valve designs. This complexity was a major initial barrier to its adoption.

 

2.Formulation & Compatibility Complexity:Its solvent properties differ from HFA 134a and HFA 227e. This often requires reformulating the drug product from the ground up—finding new stabilizers, surfactants, and excipients that are compatible. This is a costly and time-consuming process.

 

3.Higher Production Cost (Initially):The need for specialized manufacturing equipment to handle flammability, coupled with lower production volumes compared to the established HFA 134a, has historically made HFA 152a more expensive. 

 

 

 Respiratory Metered-Dose Inhaler (PMDI)

A Contact for help • Short-acting β2-agonist (SABA);

Maintenance Therapy: ICS, ICS+LABA Combination, LABA+LAMA, Triple Combination PHAIII-IVAL-like (ICS + LABA + LAMA) well-sprayed; HFA 134a Propellant brings desired spray droplet size distribution(MMAD is 1–5 μm typically), penetrates tiny and medium airways with ease.

 

 Skin And Nasal Topical Aerosol

Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic and Skin Barrier Repair Spray (Inert propellant to reduce irritation from excipients);

Nasal topicals in microvolume applications, with formulation limits are the following;

 

 Veterinary Inhalation And Topical Preparations

Adjunctive treatment for pet asthma/bronchitis, suitable for spillover from human formulations.

 

 Process And Formulation Technology Iteration Platform
Microsuspension and ultrafine particle engineering to improve lung deposition efficiency and reduce dose.

 

 The Role Of A "Bridge Propellant" In The Transition Period

Supporting treatment continuity before low-GWP solutions are fully commercialized, preventing patient compliance losses due to formulation switching.

 

 

As chemically equivalent 1,1,1,2‑tetrafluoroethane, the designations “R134a” and “HFA‑134a propellant” distinguish differing purity and application grades. “R134a” typically refers to refrigeration and automotive air‑conditioning grades, while “HFA‑134a propellant” denotes pharmaceutical‑grade material that meets stringent quality and regulatory standards for use in medical inhalers and aerosol drug products.

 

Feature	HFA-134a (Pharmaceutical Grade)	R-134a (Refrigeration Grade)
Chemical Name	1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane	1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane
Core Distinction	Grade & Intended Use: Defined by its purity and regulatory compliance for human health.	Grade & Intended Use: Defined by its performance and compatibility within mechanical systems.
Primary Application	Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers (pMDIs) for asthma, COPD, and other respiratory drugs.	Refrigerant for automotive air conditioning, domestic refrigeration, and commercial cooling systems.
Purity Standards	Extremely high. Must comply with pharmacopoeial standards (e.g., USP, EP, JP) for impurities, including water, non-volatile residues, and other organics.	Industrial grade. Meets industry specifications (e.g., AHRI 700) focused on stability and performance within refrigeration circuits.
Regulatory Framework	Stringently regulated as a Drug Component by health authorities (FDA, EMA, etc.). Requires full Regulatory Support Files (RSF) and Drug Master Files (DMF).	Regulated as an Industrial Chemical / Refrigerant by environmental and safety agencies (EPA, REACH, etc.). Governed by regulations like the U.S. EPA SNAP program and F-Gas regulations.
Key Quality Focus	Patient Safety: Purity, consistency, and toxicological profile are critical to ensure no adverse effects when inhaled.	System Performance & Longevity: Chemical stability, lubricant compatibility, and efficient heat transfer.
Packaging & Handling	Packaged in dedicated, cleaned, and validated containers. Requires full traceability (batch number, COA). Handled in GMP-controlled environments.	Packaged in standard refrigerant cylinders or cans. Traceability is typically for supply chain and safety (e.g., DOT regulations).
Supply Chain	Limited, qualified suppliers. Subject to rigorous audit by pharmaceutical companies. Higher cost due to specialized production and QA.	Broad, competitive supplier base. Price driven by commodity refrigerant market dynamics and environmental regulations.
Environmental Impact (GWP)	Identical High Global Warming Potential (~1430). Both are HFCs facing phase-down pressures under regulations like the EU F-Gas Regulation.