Tobacco Asia

24 tobaccoasia Issue 3, 2023 May / June the EU Directive on Single-Use Plastics that came into force in 2021. The Eu- ropean trend of 'extended producer responsibility' (EPR) – a broad policy ap- proach that seeks to place the responsibility of product and packaging waste management onto producers, rather than local authorities and governments – is likely to be a bellwether for the rest of the world. In the context of the tobacco sector, it means the burden of cigarette butt disposal and recycling (as well as other associated waste disposal, like packaging waste) will fall on cigarette manufacturers. This means it will soon become essential for tobacco companies to make cigarette waste as easy to deal with as possible. If the preferences of the vast majority of smokers were not enough of a motivation, the cost of EPR reforms and other governmental policies certainly should be. In practice, this means a shift towards new specialty filter materials is inevitable. The only questions for cigarette manufacturers are how to bal- ance that with the consumer experience and how they can get ahead of the curve with innovative specialty filters that meet both consumer and legislator demands. Serving the present and future of the industry Specialty filters offer unique possibilities for brands to push smoking chemis- try and develop new sensations and flavors for their customers. Filtrona spe- cializes in pushing the science of specialty filters forward since 1950, and to- day manufacture a wide portfolio of paper-based, plastic-free, and CA-based filter solutions that balance sustainability with a superb smoking experience for consumers. This broad range of innovative filter solutions coupled with a global manufacturing capability and presence means stick manufacturers can serve the many varied needs of smokers through the differentiation of product lines, with filters that contain activated carbon, vortex cores, menthol release capsules, and more. The future demands closer collaboration between spe- ciality filter providers and cigarette manufacturers, to develop new innovations and provide consum- ers with a diverse range of experiences to choose from on-shelf. A point worth remembering is that acetate- based filter tips remain a popular option for heated tobacco products (HTP). An increasingly popular format across Asia, HTPs are best paired with thin-wall acetate tips that allow the correct mix of air and vapor through to the user for a more com- fortable smoking experience. Even if the world's cigarette butt recycling infrastructure catches up to the roughly three-to- four-trillion-sticks-a-year capacity required, filters will still likely end up as litter in many cases. To minimize their impact on the environment, manufacturers may wish to pivot towards material replacement. The materials to achieve this sustain- able future are actually available now. Paper is one material that degrades significantly faster than CA, making it the most viable sustainable alternative. The materials in Filtrona's ECO Range are designed to offer flexibility to manufacturers, en- abling the creation of smoother sensations and fuller flavors in different lines of sticks. An ex- ample of this is the ECO Bridge Filter, which is made from biodegradable paper and can be used on both HTP and combustible cigarettes. These innovative designs can also be used to help serve smokers seeking to manage their nico- tine intake. The ECO Active Filter contains paper impregnated with activated carbon, for example. The amount of carbon loaded onto the paper can be adjusted on demand for product differentia- tion. It also enables users to start to taper off their nicotine intake, as more densely loaded carbon pa- per absorbs more nicotine from the stick. Through the alternative filter solutions in Filtrona's ECO Range, manufacturers can oper- ate more sustainably, offering modern consum- ers a sustainable alternative to CA cigarette butts, staying ahead of rapidly-evolving legislation, and enhancing brand differentiation. Globally, Filtrona's laboratory is fully ac- credited to conduct scientific tests on tobacco products and filters to meet regulatory require- ments and support product development. The company's scientific services cover a range of commercial testing capabilities to help custom- ers meet their regulatory requirements and offer bespoke product development and validation for specific products and needs. There is no single solution to the many issues facing the tobacco industry. That's why Filtrona combines its drive for innovation with the latest technology to work in close collabo- ration with their customers to develop a range of solutions for a variety of nicotine-based applications. For more information on Filtrona, please visit www.filtrona.com. Specialty filters offer unique possibilities for brands to enhance the smoking experience and develop new sensations and flavors for their customers.

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