The tobacco industry has always shown that, in the face of challenges, it is not only resilient but also consistently innovative. From new flavors and filters, processes, and technologies, to new uses for tobacco and even those on the bleeding edge – products based on cannabis – the dynamic tobacco industry never stagnates, never stands still, and always rises to meet every new challenge head-on.
Nattira Medvedeva
More regulations, increased anti-smoking campaigns, and a shift in consumer preferences for traditional cigarettes? The industry developed other products, such as nicotine-free or reduced nicotine cigarettes, wraps, and herbal blends (see The No-Nicotine Niche). A move to ban flavored cigarettes? How about alternative ways to flavor your cigarettes? There’s flavored tips, flavor cards, and flavor capsules (see Flavor Capsules Holding Steady in Global Cigarettes and FYO: Flavor-Your-Own Cigarettes). E-cigarettes, vaporizers, and heat-not-burn products, which have been enjoying tremendous growth also offer consumers alternatives to conventional cigarettes which have been long targeted by anti-smoking activists, governments, and international organizations.
While introducing all these new innovations, the industry has also been actively pursuing new methods to tackle issues such as illicit trade. New technologies are being used in the manufacturing of cigarettes, such as Tannpapier’s Lumina tipping, which not only protects against counterfeiting but can also help boost branding. The industry is also up to speed with the latest Industry 4.0 developments, where computerization plays a larger and crucial part in manufacturing. Take, for example, the new “all-in-one” system suites (Smart Manufacturing Descends On Tobacco Industry) that not only schedule, control, and monitor the manufacturing process but also deal with maintenance, spare parts, and a whole lot of other tasks.
This is only a small sample of all the new developments out there in the world of tobacco, and we expect to see even more exciting things at this year’s massive InterTabac and InterSupply exhibitions in Dortmund, Germany in September. While InterTabac has long been the leading tobacco industry fair anywhere in the world, InterSupply has been gaining serious momentum and more recognition since its debut in 2015, and this year has even more in store for exhibitors and visitors alike. In 2017, the trade show promises to be even larger and more comprehensive than before: with its three new halls dedicated specifically to e-cigarettes, InterSupply is growing by leaps and bounds, generating excitement and even more opportunities. Although this will only be the third show, it has already become clear that it is going from success to success, much like its more acclaimed sister event.
It is turning out to be another exciting year for the industry, so to all the nay-sayers – don’t write tobacco off just yet.