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Key Points
- U.S. Regulatory Filing: AIR announced a PMTA submission for Crown Switch on November 5, covering atomization technology, aerosol chemistry, toxicology, clinical studies, consumer behavior and manufacturing controls.
- Device Architecture: Crown Switch uses Greentank's Quantum Chip atomization technology with a rechargeable device and sealed, prefilled replacement pods. German retail versions have 2mL pods containing 18mg/mL nicotine, offered in six flavors.
- Product Testing: AIR disclosed preliminary aerosol data for two 5% nicotine formulations tested at 4.5W and 5.5W, measuring selected harmful and potentially harmful constituents.
- Capital and Compliance Costs: AIR invested $20 million in Greentank in July and incurred approximately $3.4 million in U.S. PMTA-related regulatory costs during the first nine months of 2026. Crown Switch has not received FDA marketing authorization.
2Firsts
November 13, 2026
AIR Global PLC (AIR) announced on November 5 that it had submitted a Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Crown Switch, a rechargeable pod vape platform, according to the company's announcement and filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Crown Switch was launched in Germany in November 2025 and uses Quantum Chip atomization technology developed by Canadian vaporization technology company Greentank Innovations. AIR invested $20 million in Greentank in July 2026 and disclosed preliminary aerosol testing of Crown Switch formulations intended for U.S. development.
In its November 12 third-quarter results, AIR also reported approximately $3.4 million in regulatory costs associated with preparing and submitting a U.S. PMTA during the first nine months of 2026.
The filing advances a previously commercialized European pod platform into the U.S. regulatory process. AIR has not disclosed the full U.S. application lineup or a confirmed launch date.
Crown Switch PMTA Covers Atomization, Clinical Evidence and Consumer Research
AIR announced the Crown Switch PMTA submission on November 5.
The company said its application includes evidence covering product quality, manufacturing controls, aerosol chemistry, toxicology, clinical and nonclinical research, consumer behavior and potential effects on population health.
The clinical and nonclinical evidence addresses nicotine pharmacokinetics, abuse liability and related assessments. Consumer research examines adult smokers' perceptions, intentions to use the product and potential switching from combustible cigarettes.
AIR Chief Executive Stuart Brazier said the company intends to establish a presence in the regulated U.S. vaping market through the application.
AIR also described several device features included in its product and application materials, including a sealed pod design intended to reduce leakage and prevent refilling, child-resistant packaging and battery testing against recognized safety standards.
The FDA will independently assess the submitted scientific and technical evidence.
As of November 13, 2026, AIR had announced submission of the application but had not disclosed an FDA acceptance determination, filing decision or marketing granted order.
Quantum Chip Platform: German Version Uses 2mL Pods With 18mg/mL Nicotine
Crown Switch was commercially launched in Germany on November 19, 2025, under AIR's Al Fakher brand.
The product consists of a rechargeable base device and sealed, prefilled replacement pods. Unlike Al Fakher's Crown Bar disposable vape products, Crown Switch separates the reusable battery unit from the consumable pod.
Its atomization system uses Greentank's Quantum Chip technology.
Greentank describes Quantum Vape as a chip-based atomization platform. AIR says the Crown Switch system does not use a conventional ceramic heating core, distinguishing it from traditional coil-and-wick and ceramic atomization approaches.
AIR's 2025 German launch announcement also referred to Coldstream technology, which the company associates with aerosol temperature and product performance. These are manufacturer-reported technology characteristics, not independently established conclusions about overall health risk.
German Al Fakher product listings and other German retailers describe Crown Switch replacement pods as containing 2mL of e-liquid with 18mg/mL nicotine, sold in packs of two.
Six flavors are listed: Arctic Mint, Dark Grape & Berry Ice, Forest Berries, Sour Blueberry, Tropical Mango and Watermelon Freeze.
Crown Switch — Disclosed Product Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | AIR Global PLC |
| Brand | Al Fakher |
| Product | Crown Switch |
| Category | Rechargeable closed-pod vape |
| Atomization technology | Greentank Quantum Chip / Quantum Vape |
| Architecture | Rechargeable device with sealed, prefilled replacement pods |
| German launch | November 19, 2025 |
| German pod capacity | 2mL per pod, according to retailers |
| German nicotine concentration | 18mg/mL, according to retailers |
| German pack configuration | Two pods per pack |
| German flavor range | Six flavors |
| U.S. test formulations | Two 5% nicotine formulations |
| U.S. PMTA submission | November 5, 2026 |
| U.S. application SKU count and pricing | Not disclosed |
| FDA marketing authorization | Not confirmed |
The German commercial version and the formulations tested for U.S. development use different nicotine concentrations.
AIR has not published a complete list of the pod flavors, nicotine strengths or device configurations covered by the PMTA. The German product range is not necessarily identical to the proposed U.S. lineup.
Two 5% Nicotine Formulations Undergo Preliminary Aerosol Testing
In July 2026, AIR disclosed laboratory aerosol testing of Crown Switch conducted by McKinney Specialty Labs in Virginia. The AIR-commissioned study covered two 5% nicotine formulations developed for the U.S. market.
| Test Formulation | Nicotine Concentration | Device Power |
|---|---|---|
| 9000505 VT (Velvet Tobacco) | 5% | 4.5W, 5.5W |
| 9000511 Arctic Mint | 5% | 4.5W, 5.5W |
The study measured selected aerosol constituents under specified laboratory conditions, including carbonyl compounds, tobacco-specific nitrosamines and other harmful and potentially harmful constituents.
AIR reported low levels of certain measured compounds, with some results below detection or quantification limits. It also compared the findings with published aerosol data for selected FDA-authorized vaping products.
Some comparisons involved data from different studies rather than simultaneous testing under identical conditions. The results therefore do not establish Crown Switch's emissions across all operating conditions or demonstrate that its overall health risks are lower than those of other vaping products.
AIR included the testing within its broader scientific evidence program and announced its PMTA submission on November 5.
The company has not publicly released the complete application materials needed to independently verify every submitted SKU and clinical study result.
AIR's $20 Million Greentank Investment and $3.4 Million in PMTA-Related Costs
Crown Switch's U.S. application follows AIR's investment in the company behind its atomization technology.
On July 29, 2026, AIR announced a $20 million preferred-equity investment in Greentank at a pre-money valuation of approximately $170 million.
Under the agreement, AIR secured a warrant allowing it to increase its ownership interest in Greentank by up to an additional 20% over the following 24 months, at a valuation of $250 million.
The transaction also provides board nomination rights, access to technology, improved commercial terms and long-term supply assurances.
AIR's November 12 financial results disclosed approximately $3.4 million in regulatory costs associated with preparing and submitting a U.S. PMTA during the first nine months of 2026. These costs include consulting, advisory and research expenses. They do not represent Crown Switch's total development budget or AIR's equity investment in Greentank.
For the same nine-month period, AIR's New Growth Categories (NGC) segment generated approximately $2.1 million in revenue, down 2.6% year over year. Its adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed to approximately $10.8 million from $13.2 million a year earlier.
NGC includes Crown Switch and other products and initiatives. The figures should not be interpreted as Crown Switch-specific sales or losses.
AIR has not separately disclosed Crown Switch's German sales volumes, revenue or planned U.S. marketing expenditure.
Industry Perspective | Technology Investment Meets a U.S. Regulatory Test
Crown Switch was introduced in Germany in November 2025. AIR followed with a strategic investment in Greentank and preliminary aerosol testing disclosures in July 2026, before announcing its U.S. PMTA submission on November 5.
AIR's equity investment provides a closer commercial relationship with a key atomization technology supplier, including additional ownership rights, technology access and long-term supply arrangements.
U.S. marketing authorization remains the central unresolved requirement.
Under the FDA's PMTA framework, an applicant must provide sufficient scientific evidence for the agency to determine whether marketing a product would be appropriate for the protection of public health.
Submission does not itself authorize U.S. sales.
As of November 13, AIR had not announced FDA marketing authorization for Crown Switch, a U.S. commercial launch date or its final U.S. product lineup.
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Cover image source：AIR Global
