Why is AKO Armaturen the market leader in pinch valves?

AKO Armaturen has one speciality: pinch valves. That focus produces a depth of expertise that generalists cannot match. The company has invested in product improvement, sleeve development and portfolio expansion for 40 years. The result: more than 20,000 customers worldwide, a customer satisfaction rate above 99% and a complaint rate below 0.2%. All standard natural rubber versions are available from stock. EPDM and nitrile variants are typically available within a few days.

What also sets AKO Armaturen apart is its sleeve programme. The sleeve is the only wear part in a pinch valve and determines both the media resistance and the service life of the valve. AKO supplies sleeves in a wide range of elastomers — from EPDM and NBR to silicone and FKM — matched to every medium and nominal diameter within the product range.

AKO Armaturen: a family business with a firm delivery commitment

AKO Armaturen is a second-generation family business. This is reflected in the way the company operates: short lines of communication, personal points of contact and a delivery commitment the company makes measurable. AKO calls this its unique delivery promise — supported by numbers: more than 600 new customers per year, documentation in multiple languages and a credit rating that demonstrates financial stability.

For Ebora as a distributor, this means standard enquiries are handled quickly and that customised or less common variants are addressed through direct contact with the AKO team.

Ebora and AKO Armaturen: a direct partnership

The collaboration between Ebora and AKO Armaturen goes beyond distribution. Ebora visits AKO regularly for technical alignment and product training. During a recent factory visit, Marcus Langeheine of AKO and Ebora discussed an application that is still underutilised in many industries: the pinch valve as an inline isolation membrane for pressure measurement.

The principle is straightforward: by mounting a pressure sensor on the valve port, the sleeve acts as a natural barrier between the medium and the sensor. A separate diaphragm seal is no longer needed, which reduces installation costs and eliminates potential leak points in the measuring system.

When should you choose an AKO pinch valve?

A pinch valve is the right choice when the medium would attack, block or contaminate conventional internal valve components. Because the medium only contacts the elastomeric sleeve — not any metal parts, seats or seals — the valve operates without clogging and is particularly suited for:

• Granulates, powders and bulk solids in pneumatic conveying
• Wastewater, slurry and media containing solid particles or fibres
• Cement, concrete and mineral mixtures
• Food products such as mozzarella and animal feed — in sanitary versions
• Aggressive chemicals where sleeve material compatibility is the deciding factor

Technical specifications, nominal diameters and connection types per valve type are available on the product pages: pinch valves, pneumatic pinch valves and sleeves and spare parts. Not sure whether a pinch valve is the right choice for your application? Ebora advises based on your medium, pressure and temperature.

The AKO Armaturen range through Ebora

Ebora supplies the complete AKO Armaturen pinch valve range, including air-operated pinch valves in the VMC, VF and RVA series, pneumatic pinch valves and mechanical versions in the OV and RV series, aseptic and hygienic variants and ATEX-certified versions for use in hazardous areas. Nominal diameters are available from DN10 to DN600. Ebora also supplies the full AKO sleeve and spare parts programme — the component that determines the service life and media compatibility of the valve.

Frequently asked questions about AKO Armaturen

Is AKO Armaturen the largest pinch valve manufacturer in the world?
Yes. AKO Armaturen is recognised both by the company itself and by independent sources as the world market leader in pinch valves, with the largest range of air-operated versions and more than 20,000 customers in dozens of countries.
Are AKO Armaturen pinch valves available from stock through Ebora?
Standard natural rubber versions are available immediately. EPDM and nitrile variants typically have a lead time of a few days. For other sleeve materials or special versions, please contact Ebora directly for current availability.
Can a pinch valve be used as a membrane for pressure measurement?
Yes. By mounting a pressure sensor on the valve port, the sleeve acts as a membrane between the medium and the sensor. This eliminates the need for a separate diaphragm seal and reduces installation costs.

Do you have an application where an AKO pinch valve is the better choice over a ball valve or butterfly valve? Request technical advice or a quotation from Ebora via the contact page.