3M Coatings

Inhalation technology that helps put you in front, faster.

In pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is formulated with a hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant (plus excipients if required) within the container closure system (CCS). Depending on its molecular properties, the API may be formulated as suspension or, through the addition of a co-solvent, a solution. Both routes can lead to interaction between the API and the CCS. For suspension formulations the interaction can cause deposition on the canister wall and exposed surfaces of valve components, which can lead to a reduction in drug content of the formulation. For solution formulations, interactions more commonly cause degradation leading to both reduced drug content and increased impurity levels.

Coatings can be applied to both the canister and valve components to protect the contents from deposition and degradation. This will improve formulation stability and product performance and help extend a product’s shelf life.

FEP Coated Canisters
3M offers a variety of canisters pre-coated with Fluorinated Ethylene Polymer (FEP).

Plasma Coating Technology
The 3M™ Plasma Coating Technology Provides protection from degradation, deposition and corrosion, helping to ensure technical success for challenging HFA formulations.