Introduction

Bag-on-valve is a relatively recent development in aerosol delivery and is known by a variety of names, including bi-can, sepro can and bi-compartmental aerosol can.

The principle is simple in that, instead of filling a can with a mix of 'product' and (usually inflammable) propellant, the 'product' is sealed inside a collapsible inner container and is expelled by a pressurised gas. Unlike traditional aerosols, the gas remains inside the can and, as it is usually pressurised air, the gas has no 'end-of-life' environmental impact.

The advantages of BOV aerosols over the traditional propellant-mix systems fall into two distinct areas: the environmental and regulatory benefits and the usage and cost benefits.
For more details on why bag-on-valve is a genuinely greener aerosol technology, please contact us.

Usage Benefits

Whether the end-use is consumer or industrial in nature, there are some distinct advantages to bag-on-valve aerosols over the traditional product.

• Because bag-on-valve isolates the 'product' from the pressurised gas, products remain stable for longer and don't require any compromises in formulation as there is no propellant mixing.
• In a traditional aerosol can, the expelling of propellant results in reduced pressure as product is used. Bag-on-valve aerosols offer virtually unchanged pressure over the product life, resulting in very consistent product delivery.
• Bag-on-valve aerosols expel up to 99% of the product contained in the bag. This is in sharp contrast to propellant-based aerosols, where more than 5% of the product often remains in the can.
• Aerosol cans using the BOV system can be used effectively at any angle (even upside-down), unlike their traditional counterparts. This is a major benefit for users of both consumer and industrial aerosol products.
• BOV aerosols are quieter than traditional systems and don't suffer from the 'cold can' effect that occurs with extended spraying.

Economic Benefits

Whilst bag-on-valve aerosols can, surprisingly, be manufactured at a similar unit cost to traditional aerosols, there are other persuasive economic arguments for adopting this technology!

• The simple fact that BOV aerosols expel virtually all the product contents, unlike traditional aerosols, means that you get what you pay for!
• In many applications, such as weld spatter control, bag-on-valve allows the use of more effective and efficient formulations. This is mainly the result of the separation of product and propellant.
• Product development times and costs can be reduced as there is no need to develop stable product/propellant mixes.
• The lack of a mixed propellant means that the same compressed gas (typically air) can be used for products from light oils to heavy foams. Only actuator changes are required. Clearly, this reduces development complexity and costs.