Orbia Fluor and Energy Materials has published a new whitepaper, produced in collaboration with DLRC Group, that offers vital regulatory guidance to support the pharmaceutical industry's transition to low-global warming potential (low-GWP) propellants in pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs).

The whitepaper outlines a stepwise approach consistent with the European Medicines Agency’s regulatory framework for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence—a move that could significantly simplify the upgrade of existing devices. Unlike previous transitions, the higher solvency power of next-generation propellants, such as Orbia’s Zephex 152a, may not require extensive redevelopment of canisters, valves, or actuators.

Next-generation propellants like Zephex 152a reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 percent, aligning with the Kigali Amendment’s target of cutting hydrofluorocarbon usage by more than 80 percent by 2050. One study cited in the whitepaper notes that switching to low-GWP pMDIs can achieve an overall CO? emissions reduction of 89 percent.

Orbia’s whitepaper serves as both a technical roadmap and a clarion call for pharmaceutical manufacturers seeking sustainable inhaler solutions that comply with evolving environmental and regulatory demands.