[2026 Selection Guide] Overview of Domestic and International Solenoid Valve Brands and Selection Guide
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I. Working Principle and Classification of Solenoid Valves Solenoid valves can be roughly divided into three categories based on their principle: 1. Direct-acting solenoid valves: When electric current is applied, electromagnetic force directly lifts the valve core； When power is cut, the spring returns to close it. Features: zero pressure difference start-up, fast response, and strong resistance to contamination. 2. Step-type direct-acting solenoid valve: a combination of direct-acting and pilot-operated types. It operates directly via electromagnetic force at zero pressure difference ； When there is a pressure difference, it is used to drive the main valve. Features: Can operate at zero pressure difference or in vacuum/high pressure, but requires high power and horizontal installation. 3. The pilot solenoid valve opens the pilot hole when powered, using the fluid pressure difference to push the main spool open. Features: It controls high-flow, high-pressure fluids with low power, offering a high energy efficiency ratio. The key constraint is that a minimum operating pressure difference must be met (usually ≥0.3 bar), and the cleanliness of the medium is required to be extremely high.
II. Overview of domestic and international solenoid valve brands Global giants: United States: ASCO (part of Emerson, famous for its Red Hat series), Parker Hannifin (includes brands such as Skinner), MILLER, VICKERS, KNKE. Germany: Festo (pneumatic automation), Bürkert (specialized in pharmaceuticals/food/chemical industries), BOSCH Rexroth. Japan: SMC (a leader in pneumatic components), CKD, KOGANEI, KANEKO, DAIKIN. United Kingdom: NORGREN (part of the IMI Group), Bifold (part of Rotork), HERION (part of NORGREN). Denmark: Danfoss (Danfoss – refrigeration and drive control). Italy: CAMOZZI (Kangmaosheng – Industrial Automation).
A rising force in the Chinese market: Primoflo – an industry-recognized dark horse. The brand’s history dates back to 1987 in Europe; since 2020, it has entered the global market with a renewed approach, establishing an Asia-Pacific business center in Singapore, as well as an Asia-Pacific technology center and production facility in Shanghai, China. Thanks to multiple core technological breakthroughs such as the internal magnetic guide coil design, PULIMER has obtained over 30 invention patents, and its products have passed various international authoritative certifications including CCC, NEPSI, ATEX, IECEx, EAC, and SIL. Model projects: Successfully entered the centralized procurement frameworks of state-owned enterprises such as Sinopec and CNOOC, providing services for Sinopec’s catalyst production facility, CNOOC’s 100,000 tons per year mixed tetra-carbon project for high-carbon alcohols, and CNPC’s 1.2 million tons per year ethylene project. It has also successfully expanded into overseas markets (such as a PTA project for an oil company in Country S).
Domestic leading brands: Zhejiang Sanhua, Zhejiang Hongchang, Shanghai Juliang, Shenzhen Kento, Xingyu Electronics, Dingzhou Yufei, Shenzhen Marc, Yancheng Hongmen, Airtac, CHELIC, etc.
III. Five Key Points for Selecting Solenoid Valves Step 1: Define the application scenario. Petrochemical industry: High reliability and SIL functional safety certification are essential. Fine chemicals: focusing on micro-flow control and cleanliness. New energy materials: Must meet the combined requirements of ultra-purity, corrosion resistance, and resistance to particle clogging.
Step 2: Select the appropriate structure type. Based on the operating pressure, flow rate, and properties of the medium, choose between direct-acting, step-by-step direct-acting, or pilot-operated types.
Step 3: Pay attention to explosion protection and protection ratings. In explosion-proof environments, flameproof types should be given priority. The protection rating should be at least IP65 (IP66/IP67 is required for outdoor use). Example of explosion protection mark: Ex db IIC T6 Gb.
Step 4: Power supply and power consumption – A 24V DC power supply is recommended. Durable coils with Class H insulation are used. For safety interlocks, long-term energized coils should be used (normally energized, de-energized during interlocking).
Step 5: Functional configuration – Solenoids that are part of the safety interlock system should not be equipped with manual override knobs or buttons. For applications requiring fire protection, compliance with API 607 or API 6FA standards is required.
IV. Special notes on engineering details: The two-position five-way valve installed in a plug-in manner can be converted into a two-position three-way valve by blocking one of the exhaust ports； For those installed according to the Namur standard, no sealing is required; otherwise, it will cause poor exhaust flow in the cylinder. Installation direction: When placing an order, it is essential to confirm the installation direction of the pneumatic valve, ensuring that the accompanying air source filter and pressure regulator are in a vertical position. This detail is easily overlooked, and rectifying it later can be very costly. Redundant configuration logic: For high security requirements → the “or” logic is used (the safety function can be activated by the operation of a single solenoid valve). High availability requirements → Use an “AND” logic (a malfunction of a single solenoid valve will not trigger a safety interlock).
The selection is primarily guided by the following standards: GB/T 50770-2013/2023 \"Code for Design of Safety Instrumented Systems in Petrochemical Industries\", SH/T 3005-2016 \"Code for Selection and Design of Automation Instruments in Petrochemical Industries\", HG/T 20507-2014 \"Code for Selection and Design of Automation Instruments\", SH/T 3225-2024 \"Code for Designing the Safety Integrity Level of Safety Instrumented Systems in Petrochemical Industries\", and HG/T 22820-2024 \"Code for Design of Safety Instrumented Systems in Chemical Industries\"