Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1537288
48 tobaccoasia MANUFACTURING NEWS 制造新闻 Ispire Malaysia: Export-Only, Fully-Compliant Ispire Malaysia Sdn Bhd has reiterated that its manufacturing plant in Senai, Johor operates in full compliance with all Malaysian laws and regulations, producing e-cigarette devices solely for export markets, reports Free Malaysia Today. In an official statement, the company emphasized that its Johor-based facility adheres to strict manufacturing protocols, ensuring no products are distributed or sold within Malaysia. "To date, Ispire Malaysia exclusively manufactures semi-finished hardware products destined solely for export," the company clarified. It further noted that these components contain no nicotine or cannabis—whether in liquid or gel form— and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of Malaysia's Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. All finished products are exported to regulated markets such as the US and UK, where they are approved for commercial sale by the relevant authorities, the company added. Ispire also responded to recent media reports, explaining that references to cannabis and nicotine-related products were based on materials from its US parent company, reflecting legal business-to-business activities in international markets—not Malaysian operations. "These statements do not accurately reflect the operations of Ispire Malaysia, which strictly adheres to all Malaysian laws and regulatory requirements/frame- works," it said. Previously, health-focused news outlet CodeBlue reported that Ispire's Johor facility manufactures cannabis and nicotine vaping products. It cited an April investor presentation in Las Vegas—published on YouTube on May 6—that described the Malaysian plant as producing "mainly cannabis-related products," with seven production lines reportedly in operation. The Malaysian health ministry later confirmed that Ispire received an interim license to manufacture nicotine-containing e-cigarette products at the Johor site, with local council approval. However, the ministry's June 2 statement did not address cannabis-related production, which CodeBlue reported had started in February 2024. In its latest statement, Ispire Malaysia said that any nicotine-based product manufacturing, if initiated, would be strictly export-oriented and subject to explicit approvals from both federal and state authorities. Meanwhile, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad announced that the Cabinet will review and decide on the future of Ispire's operations in the country. SWM International Leads with Certified Marine-Biodegradable Certification SWM International stands as the sole provider of marine-biodegradable filter media officially certified by TÜV Austria, raising the bar for sustainability in tobacco filtration. The first generation of its Evolute ® range carries certification for biode- gradability in both soil and marine environments. This confirms that the filters fully break down in seawater—a milestone in eco-conscious innovation. Cigarette butt waste continues to draw increasing attention, with filters often making up as much as 70% of each discarded butt. While regulations do not yet require such biodegradability, SWM has taken proactive steps to offer a certified alternative that is not only biodegradable but also dispersible and free of ecotoxic effects. This move reflects the company's long-term commitment to more respon- sible product solutions. Independent laboratory Organic Waste Systems (OWS), known for its expertise in biodegradability, compostability, and ecotoxicity testing, conducted all assessments. TÜV Austria verified the results, ensuring that SWM's filter media meets the strict criteria for certification. Tests included the ASTM D6691 marine biodegradation protocol and the OECD 202 toxicity evaluation, both of which assess performance and safety in aquatic ecosystems. Compared to soil-based biodegradability, the marine certification involves far stricter criteria. For instance, materials must reach 90% biodegradation within 6 months in seawater, while soil certifica- tion allows up to 24 months. The material must also physically disintegrate within 12 weeks under seawater expo- sure. Furthermore, testing evaluates ecological impact using aquatic organ- isms such as Daphnia (water fleas), as opposed to seedlings used in soil assessments. These demanding bench- marks highlight the media's ability to break down safely in marine ecosystems. In parallel with product innova- tion, SWM is driving progress on the regulatory front. The company actively participates in the International Organi- zation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee for tobacco and tobacco products within Working Group 25 (WG25). This group is responsible for developing global testing standards for the aerobic biodegradabil- ity of cigarette filters in both soil and marine environments. By helping to define these standards, SWM supports the creation of credible scientific data that can shape global policies and improve product accountability. KT&G Sues Fake ESSE Cigarette Makers KT&G has launched legal action against local groups involved in making and selling fake cigarettes under its global superslim brand ESSE. The company confirmed that counterfeiters operating under names like "KT&G India," "KT&G Punjab," and "KT&G Ambala" have been producing and distributing large quantities of fake products using the ESSE brand without any affiliation to KT&G. To combat these counterfeiting activities, KT&G is pursuing civil lawsuits against the manufacturers and distributors in India, stressing that it has no connection to the entities using these misleading names. The production and sale of counterfeit goods under well-known brands have been rapidly increasing, causing significant harm to national