How do I choose between direct acting and pilot operated solenoid valves?

Direct acting is usually the safer pick for zero or very low pressure lines. Pilot operated options often fit higher flow needs but typically require pressure differential and cleaner media.

Which certifications matter most for hazardous or explosive areas?

Look for ATEX and IECEx when operating in many non US regions. For US and Canada sites, buyers often require UL or CSA listings for coils and assemblies.

What should I ask a supplier about cycle life and reliability?

Ask for cycle testing ranges tied to your media, temperature, and duty cycle. Also confirm the valve's fatigue drivers, such as high temperature elastomer aging and high frequency switching.

When does IO Link matter for solenoid valves?

It matters most when you want diagnostics, fast commissioning, and simpler wiring in machine builds. It is less critical for simple shutoff points where wiring and troubleshooting are already stable.

How should I pick valve body and seal materials?

Start with media compatibility and cleaning chemicals, then confirm temperature range and pressure. Stainless steel is often favored for corrosive or washdown settings, while brass can suit clean water and air.

What are the most common hidden causes of solenoid valve failures?

Contamination and clogging are frequent causes, especially in pilot passages. Coil overheating, voltage mismatch, and moisture ingress also drive failures, so enclosure rating and wiring practices matter.

Top Solenoid Valves Companies - Key Players & More

Emerson Electric Co. (ASCO)

Safety driven valve design is increasingly shaping vendor selection in critical plants. ASCO's Series 327C update reinforces that direction through hazardous location approvals and intrinsically safe configurations, while keeping a direct acting, high flow approach for process valve piloting. Emerson, a major player, can win standardized global specifications when a buyer wants one valve family across sites and regions. If refinery turnarounds accelerate, demand can rise quickly, yet lead times and coil component availability remain a practical risk. Its strength is breadth and approvals, while exposure includes heavy cyclic duty applications that punish seal materials.

Leaders

Danfoss A/S

Cooling and electrification programs are pulling more attention toward compact and reversible flow paths. Danfoss expanded its bi directional EVRC solenoid valve line for reversible heat pump type systems, and it continues to refresh supporting documentation for key HVAC oriented solenoid products. Danfoss, a major supplier, can pair valves with selection tools and approved components to simplify compliance for installers. If public incentives for heat pumps rebound, volume can shift fast toward approved coil and valve combinations. The main risk is margin pressure during demand swings, especially when copper and specialty materials move sharply.

Leaders

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

Financial momentum gives Parker room to invest through product cycles and certification updates. Its miniature solenoid valve portfolio targets medical and analytical devices, with published life cycle testing and low outgassing positioning for higher reliability needs. Parker, a leading company, also strengthened its broader financial base through record fiscal 2025 results, which can support capacity, service, and tooling for regulated valve applications. If hazardous area projects rise, updated explosion protection certifications on coils can help shorten customer requalification time. Integration distraction from large acquisitions is a realistic operational risk that can dilute focus on smaller valve platforms.

Leaders

Burkert GmbH and Co. KG

Serviceability is becoming a commercial feature, not just an engineering preference. Brkert announced new compact solenoid valve series for automatic coffee machines with a tool free maintenance concept and food contact approvals, which addresses downtime sensitivity in hospitality equipment. Brkert, a leading vendor, can translate that approach into broader hygienic applications where cleaning chemicals and hot water cycles are routine. If OEMs face tighter food contact scrutiny, validated approvals can reduce redesign work. The main risk is high mix production complexity, which can strain consistency if demand spikes across many variants at once.

Leaders

Festo SE and Co. KG

Distributed machine design is pushing valves closer to the point of use. Festo introduced its VTUX valve terminal with IP65/67 positioning and modularity, which supports decentralized layouts and simplified installation on OEM equipment. Festo, a major player, can bundle valves, IO, and pneumatic architecture guidance, which helps customers standardize faster. If labor shortages continue, systems that reduce wiring work and speed commissioning should see more pull. The main risk is that higher feature valve terminals face longer qualification cycles, especially when customers need functional safety and hazardous area approvals.

Leaders

SMC Corp.

Connectivity expectations are moving from optional to default in factory builds. SMC's IO Link capable EX600 platform supports multiple valve manifolds and diagnostics, which fits plants aiming to reduce wiring complexity and troubleshooting time. SMC, a top player, typically benefits when OEMs standardize valve islands across many machine frames, even if the valve itself is not the most specialized. If discrete manufacturing spending slows, the same installed base can still create steady replacement demand. The key weakness is exposure to fast commoditization in common pneumatic formats, which can compress pricing without strong differentiation.

Established

IMI plc

Portfolio reshaping can improve focus, but it can also create near term execution noise. IMI reports detailed sector financials, and it is investing in a new US control valve facility intended to support power related customers, which can indirectly strengthen valve engineering depth and lead time discipline. IMI, a key participant, also positions Norgren solenoid valves for beverage dispense systems where cleaning cycles and mixed media are common. If food equipment builders push tool free service concepts, IMI can win with application engineered manifolding and validated materials. The main operational risk is disruption during site moves and restructuring, which can slow response on custom valve programs.

Established

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

Defense and nuclear programs reward reliability, traceability, and long service support. Curtiss-Wright continues to win large naval platform contracts that include valves and related equipment, which signals durable demand for high specification fluid control hardware under strict oversight. Curtiss-Wright, a key supplier, can benefit when nuclear modernization spending expands and customers prioritize qualified vendors over lowest cost options. If commercial nuclear builds accelerate, qualification depth can become a meaningful advantage. The key weakness is narrower relevance to general purpose solenoid valves, and that concentration can limit cross sector growth when defense budgets shift.

Established

AirTAC International Group

Cost focused automation buyers still want breadth and quick availability. AirTAC highlights ongoing product rollouts, including solenoid valve series, and it actively engages distributors and visitors tied to US regions, which supports channel expansion. AirTAC, a Taiwan-based pneumatics group, can gain from retrofit waves in packaging and light manufacturing where standardized pneumatic valves are replaced in bulk. If more plants push simple electrification of manual stations, lower cost solenoid valves can see steady pull through. The main risk is quality perception in regulated sites, where documentation depth and approvals often decide the shortlist.

Performers

The Lee Co.

Miniature performance requirements are rising in medical devices and space systems. The Lee Company emphasizes small high pressure solenoid valves for aerospace and space applications, with latching options that reduce energy draw in power constrained systems. The Lee, a precision-focused specialist, can win when customers value leakage control, size, and repeatability more than unit price. If satellite production rates accelerate, demand can rise for proven valve families with stable qualification data. The critical risk is dependence on tight tolerance manufacturing steps, where any supplier disruption can ripple into delivery delays for mission critical builds.

Performers

CKD Corp.

Hydrogen adjacent applications are becoming a practical product filter for buyers. CKD's product updates include solenoid valve related additions such as options for high temperature fluid service and hydrogen focused valve releases in 2025, which signals active portfolio investment. CKD, a major OEM in Japan, can translate that into wins where customers need clear revision control and frequent incremental upgrades. If hydrogen combustion and handling equipment grows, CKD is positioned to supply purpose built variants. The key risk is geographic release limitations, since Japan-only availability can constrain global scale for some new valve types.

Performers

GEMU Group

Hygiene driven design is expanding into biotech, water, and chemical dosing skids. GEM highlighted UL approval for its M75 process solenoid valve for North America use, and it maintains a solenoid valve portfolio that emphasizes media separation and cleanability. GEM, a leading vendor, can benefit when customers want to swap coils without removing valve bodies, which reduces downtime and validation effort. If more plants adopt digital asset data practices, GEM's broader digital push can support documentation workflows around valve maintenance. The main risk is longer lead times for specialized materials, especially when multiple regulated projects peak simultaneously.

Performers

Kendrion N.V.

Strategic simplification can clarify priorities for engineering teams and for customers. Kendrion signaled a carve out of its Automotive business and a sharper focus on industrial activities, with attention on China capacity and cost control, which may affect how resources are allocated across actuator and valve related products. Kendrion, a Netherlands-based actuator specialist, can benefit if electrification drives demand for compact electromagnetic solutions in power equipment. If the pivot succeeds, customers may see faster development cycles and improved responsiveness. The main risk is transition friction, since carve outs can disrupt account coverage and reduce short term execution on niche solenoid programs.

Aspirants

CEME S.p.A

Leadership change often signals a shift in operating cadence and investment choices. CEME announced a new CEO in November 2025, which may support sharper execution across its solenoid valve and pump ranges used in appliances and fluid handling equipment. CEME, an Italy-based component maker, can benefit if appliance OEMs redesign for energy use and tighter leak requirements. If European compliance demands tighten for household systems, documented material and coil consistency becomes more valuable. The main operational risk is demand concentration in a few large OEM programs, which can create volume volatility when a platform redesign is delayed.

Aspirants

PeterPaul Electronics Co.

Hazardous location expectations are spreading beyond oil and gas into renewables and bulk handling. PeterPaul positions UL listed explosion proof and high pressure solenoid valves, supported by a visible certification and quality document set that helps customer auditors. PeterPaul, a US-based valve manufacturer, can win when buyers want domestic build and straightforward compliance for North American sites. If distributed generation projects increase, more skid builders will need compact shutoff valves with recognized listings. The main weakness is limited visibility outside core distributor channels, which can slow adoption in global OEM programs.

Aspirants

Anshan Solenoid Valve Co.

Government licensing actions can serve as a strong validation signal in regulated nuclear work. China's nuclear safety authority approved a change to Anshan Solenoid Valve's civil nuclear safety equipment design and manufacturing license scope in October 2025, which supports credibility for safety critical applications. Anshan Solenoid Valve, a China-based manufacturer, can benefit if domestic nuclear build and life extension projects continue to expand. If export controls tighten, local sourcing preference may rise in regional projects. The main downside is limited transparency for global OEM buyers, since public product documentation and international approvals can be harder to validate quickly.

Aspirants

KANKEO SANGYO Co.

Event presence can reveal where a company is placing its next bets. Kaneko, listed in the TOC as KANKEO, promoted new solenoid valve related products for a carbon free society and smart safety at Valve World Southeast Asia 2025, including SIL compliant and high flow redundant concepts. KANKEO, a Japan-based valve maker, can gain where safety cases require documented switching behavior and predictable fail states. If hydrogen handling moves from pilots to routine operations, those concepts could become more relevant. The key risk is that many product pages remain difficult to date, which can slow qualification in strongly audited projects.

Aspirants

Rotex Automation

Certification language and breadth of sizes are often the fastest screening criteria for new accounts. Rotex presents solenoid valve coverage from very small orifices to large formats, plus claims of global certifications, which supports use in process plants and automation retrofits. Rotex, an India-based flow control manufacturer, can win when customers need acceptable performance at attractive cost, especially for spares and line expansions. If oil and gas automation expands in new shale and LNG related buildouts, demand can lift for rugged on off valves. The main operational risk is proving consistent documentation and test traceability at scale across many product variants.

Aspirants

ODE S.r.l.

Regulatory readiness is a practical differentiator in valves that sit near gas trains and washdown zones. ODE publishes a broad certification set, including UL and CSA for coils, NSF variants, PED alignment, and ATEX coverage for selected lines, which reduces buyer risk in audited sites. ODE, an Italy-based solenoid valve producer, can gain from retrofit work where certifications must be proven quickly without redesign. If gas appliance requirements tighten, buyers may favor vendors with established certification management. The main weakness is dependence on a few core platforms, which can limit flexibility when OEMs demand unusual form factors.

Aspirants

Genebre S.A.

Gas safety compliance is a clear buying trigger for many building and appliance projects. Genebre positions normally closed gas solenoid valves aligned to EU directives and gas appliance regulation expectations, which fits customers needing straightforward conformity statements. Genebre, a Spain-based valve and fitting group, can win bundled orders when installers and distributors prefer one catalog across several valve types. If gas train refurbishment rises, replacement demand can be resilient even during slower construction cycles. The main risk is limited differentiation in higher end applications where buyers demand advanced diagnostics, higher temperature endurance, or specialized elastomers.

Aspirants

Solenoid Valves Companies: Leaders, Top & Emerging Players and Strategic Moves

Top 5 Solenoid Valves Companies

Solenoid Valves Companies Matrix by Mordor Intelligence

MI Competitive Matrix for Solenoid Valves

Analysis of Solenoid Valves Companies and Quadrants in the MI Competitive Matrix

Emerson Electric Co. (ASCO)

Danfoss A/S

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

Burkert GmbH and Co. KG

Festo SE and Co. KG

SMC Corp.

IMI plc

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

AirTAC International Group

The Lee Co.

CKD Corp.

GEMU Group

Kendrion N.V.

CEME S.p.A

PeterPaul Electronics Co.

Anshan Solenoid Valve Co.

KANKEO SANGYO Co.

Rotex Automation

ODE S.r.l.

Genebre S.A.

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology

Analysis of Leading Solenoid Valves Companies