Invisible but indispensable: Esband in global heat-not-burn production

In recent years, the concept of heat-not-burn has revolutionised the tobacco industry. Esband has also evolved in line with this evolution.

What is heat-not-burn?

Products labeled heat-not-burn (HNB, also known as RRP = reduced risk products or NGP = new generation products) are devices that heat tobacco without burning it, unlike conventional cigarettes.

Growing markets worldwide

In recent years, HNB products have become increasingly popular. All of the major cigarette manufacturers in the industry developed and launched their own tobacco heaters.

HNB products are particularly popular in Southeast Asia, especially in Japan and South Korea. But they are also becoming increasingly established in Europe and North America.

Why are HNB products so popular?

•   Heating rather than burning the tobacco produces a nicotine-containing vapor with significantly fewer harmful substances than traditional smoking

•    Less smell and smoke

•    Technological innovations (e.g., better batteries, more precise heating systems)

•    Rising tobacco taxes are making traditional cigarettes more expensive – HNB is becoming a cheaper alternative

Where does Esband come into play?

Schlatterer and its brand Esband are directly involved in the production of HNB products as a supplier of endless belts. These play a central role in manufacturing.

Esband offers tapes which are specifically required for the production of cigarettes that are inserted into the heater. These so-called “sticks” are used in all HNB products.

Manufacturing process

The production of tobacco sticks is more complex than the production of conventional cigarettes, which consist of only two segments (filter and tobacco strand).

Sticks, on the other hand, contain four to five different elements (depending on the model). These individual parts are assembled into a cigarette by various machines. Four to five format belts are used per stick.

Conclusion

Because of a rapidly evolving market the specialists at Schlatterer are continuously working on the further development of its tapes. With endless solutions and maximum precision, Esband already supplies the crucial components for tomorrow’s tobacco products. They may be invisible to consumers, but indispensable for the industry.

Sources: Wie gefährlich sind Tabakerhitzer? – BfR; Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Products Market Size to Grow by USD 151.87 Billion from 2024 to 2029 – Research Report | Technavio; Picture Credit: : Михаил Решетников | Adobe Stock