KLAR represents the next generation of nicotine pouches, featuring a bioceramic-based powder. Photo credit: KLAR.
The recent launch of KLAR nicotine pouches in the UK marks the advent of a new generation of oral nicotine products. From the outside, the nicotine pouches developed by Swedish bioceramic laboratory Emplicure resemble other products already on the market. However, unlike traditional pouches that use cellulose as a carrier material for pharmaceutical-grade nicotine, KLAR pouches contain a bioceramic-based powder as the substrate material.
KLAR’s composition includes bioceramics, water, bulking agents, nicotine, and flavorings, all of which bind to the bioceramic platform. The company claims that its release mechanism, based on diffusion and dilution, enables a more controlled and consistent release of nicotine and flavor, improving absorption by the body and delivering a stronger, more impactful “nicotine kick.” KLAR pouches are available in mint and citrus flavors and come in three strengths: regular (3mg), strong (6mg), and extra strong (9mg).
Using bioceramics as a carrier material eliminates some of the issues associated with traditional pouches, says Håkan Engqvist, a professor of materials science at Uppsala University and co-founder of Emplicure. Traditional cellulose-based nicotine pouches, despite being moistened with polyglycol, tend to be slightly dry. As a result, users experience the nicotine effect and taste only a few seconds after placing the pouch behind the lip. “This presents some challenges: for certain users, the sudden, intense nicotine hit can be overwhelming, sometimes causing nausea,” Engqvist explains. “Cellulose has another drawback: during consumption, it can dissolve into a slimy lump in the mouth, causing the flavor to fade quickly.”
The bioceramic granules used in KLAR pouches have a porous internal structure, resembling Swiss cheese under a microscope. Primarily composed of oxides, nitrides, carbides, and cement, bioceramics are chemically bonded ceramics. This material has been used for over 40 years in clinical applications, such as hard tissue replacement, due to its ability to integrate seamlessly with surrounding tissues.
In recent years, bioceramic applications have expanded beyond hip replacements and dentistry. Emplicure originally developed its patented Seratek bioceramic technology to provide a precise and safe drug delivery method, particularly for chronic pain treatment. The company claims its controlled-release formulations improve therapy outcomes while reducing opioid abuse risks.
KLAR pouches, first launched in Sweden, are currently available at 700 retail locations in the UK, as well as through its global e-commerce partner Haypp.com and its exclusive UK distributor AquaVape. More market expansions are expected soon, Tomas Hammargren, chief risk Reduction officer at KLAR, told Tobacco Asia.
“Due to its release mechanism and use of nicotine salt, KLAR pouches are small yet deliver the punch of much larger products,” Hammargren explains. “To succeed in key markets like Southern Europe and Asia, a pouch product must be as small as possible while still providing a satisfying nicotine and flavor experience—something difficult to achieve with cellulose-based pouches. It’s hard to imagine an Italian woman using a large pouch under her lip, and the same applies to Asia. Our product is more urban, metropolitan, and appealing to female and new users. That’s why we’re confident KLAR will succeed in existing oral nicotine markets. It’s the perfect complement for vapers and heated tobacco users in locations where smoking and vaping are restricted.”