1 August 2023–Filtrona, the independent global market leader in the design, testing and manufacturing of special filter solutions, tear tapes and related scientific services, has opened a new ‘Centre of Excellence’ (COE) in Budapest, Hungary. Combining multiple advanced filter manufacturing machines, the COE will increase its production capacity and speed-to-market of sustainable filter solutions. The COE enables tobacco companies to develop and manufacture a portfolio of sustainable tobacco products by leveraging Filtrona’s expertise in innovative filter designs, processing methods, and knowledge of materials.
The COE combines Filtrona’s extensive experience in manufacturing non-woven filters with advanced, high-speed production technology and the latest testing methods to produce sustainable filters for various tobacco product applications. These include cigarettes, heated tobacco products, cigarillos, cigars, and RYO and MYO cigarettes.
Globally, consumers and regulators are pushing for more environmentally sustainable solutions for consumer goods. Likewise, the tobacco industry is seeking plastic-free alternatives by focusing on the use of wood pulp based non-woven materials, such as papers. The EU SUPD provides a roadmap for the phasing-out of single-use plastics, which includes cellulose acetate tow. Using the EU Directive as a blueprint, tobacco companies in territories outside the EU are expected to follow a similar path in reducing single-use plastics over time.
Hugo Azinheira, Global Director of Innovation and ESG at Filtrona said, “As the world’s leading producer of sustainable filter solutions, Filtrona is advancing our sustainability journey by launching our Centre of Excellence to expand our portfolio of sustainable products at a faster pace. With the EU SUPD (European Union Single-Use Plastic Directive) driving a wider adoption of plastic-free tobacco products, our new production line has the capability to meet the evolving needs of customers, consumers, and regulators rapidly.”
Filtrona is committed to developing alternative filter solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the filters it produces. The Company continues to develop its ECO Range filters such as the recently launched ECO Tube Triple Carbon Filter, a plastic-free option constructed using a sustainable tube and active paper carbon for accelerated biodegradation.
For more information on Filtrona, please visit Filtrona.com
