GTS and the European aerosol sector: a controlled supply chain in a stable market under regulatory pressure

For almost 40 years GTS has produced and distributed natural propellant gases for the aerosol industry, with production and logistics sites in Italy, Belgium and Romania serving customers across Europe and the MEA region. The 2026 Annual Report of the FEA (European Aerosol Federation) — the organization that has represented the sector at European level since 1959, bringing together 17 countries and over 300 SMEs and multinationals — gathered the perspective of Paolo Zunino, CEO of GTS S.p.A., as a voice from the propellants segment.

Quality and safety start with supply chain control

For Zunino, the first distinguishing element of GTS is direct oversight of the supply chain:

"Quality and safety start with full control of the supply chain. Our ISO 9001:2015-certified laboratories carry out continuous analysis throughout the process, while retained samples guarantee traceability and tailored solutions for our customers' specific needs."

This control translates into a series of concrete elements that GTS makes available to aerosol manufacturers:

• HACCP-certified Food Grade propellants, supporting the food industry;
• "ATMO Approved" certification, achieved by GTS for several consecutive years, recognizing low-environmental-impact natural gas production;
• ISCC PLUS certification for bio-LPG, guaranteeing supply chain traceability of renewable raw materials;
• a production site powered by a 2 MWp photovoltaic plant, supporting energy independence and the transition toward lower-carbon operations;
• in-house logistics with a dedicated fleet and specialized drivers for the direct handling of tanker trucks, isotanks and cylinders, reducing contamination risks during transport across Europe and worldwide.

Zunino sums up GTS's role toward the sector this way: collaboration with organizations such as FEA "helps the industry anticipate market trends and jointly address tomorrow's regulatory, sustainability and safety challenges," positioning GTS "as a strategic and reliable partner for its customers."

The market GTS operates in

FEA data portrays a stable European aerosol sector with moderate growth: in 2025 EU production reached 3.45 billion units, up from 3.27 billion in 2015 (1.4% CAGR over the decade). Germany (27.1%), France (20.1%) and Italy (16.5%) — the latter being the market where GTS has its headquarters and production plant — together account for over 60% of EU production.

By application, personal care accounts for 49% of production, followed by household products (17.4%); the remainder is split between automotive/industrial, food, paints and pharmaceutical/veterinary — segments in which GTS supplies technical, food-grade and cosmetic propellants.

The regulations GTS customers must follow

The report devotes significant space to regulatory dossiers with a direct impact on propellant and aerosol dispenser manufacturers — ground on which GTS closely follows regulatory developments together with FEA:

• CLP Regulation: more flexible new labeling rules (simplified labels, greater use of digital formats), but with a minimum font size requirement for consumer mixtures — a significant constraint given the limited surface area of aerosol dispensers.
• F-gases III Regulation: under implementation, with a simplification ("Omnibus IV") of registration primarily benefiting SMEs and small mid-caps.
• PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation): work is underway on separate-collection labels (adoption expected by the end of 2026) and on the calculation of "Recyclability Performance Grades," whose mass-based approach risks penalizing smaller, more innovative formats.
• PFAS restriction: the ECHA committee's (SEAC) final opinion is expected by the end of 2026, following a consultation that gathered over 3,500 comments.
• Transport classification: FEA has published a guide to correctly distinguish aerosol dispensers (UN 1950) from gas cartridges (UN 2037).

For companies like GTS, which operate along the entire propellant gas supply chain for the aerosol sector, this regulatory monitoring is an integral part of the ability to guarantee customers continuity of supply and compliance in a constantly evolving regulatory context.

Frequently asked questions

What role does GTS play in the aerosol sector?
For almost 40 years GTS has produced and distributed natural propellant gases for the aerosol industry, including HACCP-certified Food Grade propellants, with sites in Italy, Belgium and Romania and customers across Europe and the MEA region.

What certifications does GTS hold for aerosol propellants?
ISO 9001:2015, "ATMO Approved" status confirmed for several consecutive years, and ISCC PLUS certification for bio-LPG, guaranteeing supply chain traceability.

How many aerosols are produced each year in the European Union?
In 2025 EU production reached 3.45 billion units, with average annual growth of 1.4% over the past decade (source: FEA, Annual Report 2026).

What is FEA?
The European Aerosol Federation is the organization, founded in 1959, that represents the aerosol industry at European level before institutions and regulatory bodies, bringing together national associations from 17 countries and over 300 companies.

GTS produces and distributes propellant gases for the aerosol industry — cosmetic, technical and food grade. Discover GTS aerosol propellants or contact GTS for information on products and certifications.