Sachet of aerosol-forming substrate, method of manufacturing same, and aerosol-generating device for use with sachet

An electrically operated aerosol-generating device, comprising,

• a power supply;
• electronic control circuitry;
• a cavity configured to receive a sachet of aerosol-forming substrate, the sachet comprising:
• an aerosol-forming substrate disposed within the sachet, and
• an electrical heater element comprising first and second electrically conductive portions,
• wherein the electrical heater element is disposed within the sachet and is in direct contact with the aerosol-forming substrate,
• a sachet retainer configured to retain the sachet in the cavity,
• a first set of at least one piercing element and a second set of at least one piercing element, wherein the first set is configured to pierce a first side of the sachet and the second set is configured to pierce a second side of the sachet to form an airflow pathway through the sachet;
• and
• electrical contacts disposed adjacent the cavity and being configured to allow the first and the second electrically conductive portions of the electrical heater element to be electrically connected to the power supply,
• wherein the sachet retainer is further configured to maintain electrical contact between the electrical heater element and the electrical contacts.