Paper Materials for Paper

Filters
Market overview of the tobacco industry move towards
environmental tobacco filters
Agenda

1. Meet the presenter

2. Why are cigarette manufacturers are considering paper filters

3. Fundamental differences between Cellulose Acetate Tow and Paper from the viewpoint of materials, filter processing, cigarette manufacturing
and consumer acceptance

4. What is the ideal paper to replace cellulose acetate tow, a theoretical wish list

5. What papers are currently available in the market today, key paper manufacturers, types of paper currently in market and an analysis of paper
performance

6. The role of additives on paper

7. Gap analysis of current papers and cellulose acetate tow from the view of a cigarette producer and cigarette consumer

8. Paper processing equipment options

9. Summary and suggested next steps

10. Questions and Answers

Paul Morris

• Over 50 years in the tobacco industry working for Filtrona/Essentra

• Areas of experience include
• Filter Machinery
• Sales & marketing strategies
• Product innovation
• Cigarette design with innovative filtration technologies
• Laboratory Management
• People management and empowerment
• During my career I have worked Hong Kong 3 yrs, Singapore 12 yrs, China 4 yrs and
Indonesia 1 yr
Why Cigarette Producers are Changing Filters

• The single use plastic directive in Europe is the main legislation driving
change in the tobacco industry
• MNC’s are launching brands
• Smaller players are looking to create products that carry the logo Plastic in Filter
on the pack
• Cellulose Acetate (Tow) is categorized as a single use plastic and proposed
legislation will ban the material
• Latest Legislation can be found here:
• https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019L0904&qid=1664779252884
• USA Every cigarette retailer in the City and County of San Francisco is responsible
for paying the Cigarette Litter Abatement Fee, Effective January 1, 2023, the
Cigarette Litter Abatement Fee will increase to $1.25 per pack from the current
$1.05 per pack
• Reduce nicotine cigarettes may use more biodegradable filters
• Japan has strong anti littering laws which keep streets clean and free of trash
History of Paper Filters in Tobacco

1970's dual filters 1990’s tow prices

were commonly escalate due to
sold comprising of China moving to
a small portion of tipped cigarettes
1950's crepe acetate tow at the giving a rise to
paper filters ME and paper at increase the use
were being sold the TE self of paper filters.
and where the manufacture of CA Paper filter are
filter choice in filters was on the ideal for ultra low
tobacco increase tar cigarettes

1960’s tow 1980's saw the 2000’s Start of

started to be growth of single use plastic
commercially additives and discussions in
available and the increase in Europe and CA
started to use of tow as filters falling into
replace paper equipment and this category.
filters with the raw material Research into
improved end became acceptable
appearance affordable alternatives
started
Fundamental Differences Between Tow and Paper

Cellulose Acetate Tow 36 gsm semi crepe Lyocell 36gsm SC mix

• Smooth surface
• Y shaped filaments
• Lots of air gaps
• Fibres bonded with Triacetin
• 42% - 48% tar retention on a
standard filter
• Retention related to Pressure Drop
• Non smooth structure due to
machine embossing
• Some fibrillations to increase
performance
• No additive to bond paper web
together
• 50% - 65% tar retention on a
standard filter
• Significant amount of fibrillations
• Hight performance material suitable
for ultra low tar products
• 70% - 85% tar retention on a
standard filter
 Cellulose Acetate vs Paper Filter Performance

Acetate vs Paper Retention Performance Semi Volatile Retention of Selected Compounds

75 100
70 Acet ate Paper

65 80
Retention

60
60

Retention
55
50 40
45
20
40
35 0
30

e
le
l

ne

e
ine

ol

e
ra

Al

ti n
ien
ol
rro

en

te
30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

rfu
rid

d
rf.

co
ad
Ph

In

n
Py
Fu
Py

Fu

pe

Ni
yt
Pressure Drop

Di

Ph
Acet ate Paper
 Key Differences between Cellulose Acetate (CA) &
Paper Filters

Processability Processability Visual Appearance

Cigarette Consumer
Cigarette Manufacturer
Filter Processing

§ Increased pressure drop § Runs differently on cigarette § Cigarette end appearance can
variation maker look different when you open the
§ Lower Hardness § Increased PD variation pack
§ Reduced resilience § Requires cigarette maker
adjustments to run smoothly Smoking Experience
Filter Material Performance § Little resilience so easy to go out
§ Filter retention difference
Visual Appearance of shape
§ CA filter 42% tar and 37% § Looks different to CA - increased § Filter gets softer during smoking
nicotine retention air gaps due to paper layering as paper adsorbs moisture
§ Paper filter 55% tar & 55% § Staining pattern after smoking
nicotine retention Taste
Taste § Hotter dryer smoke
Taste § Dryer & hotter smoke § Increased mouth irritation
§ Dry smoking experience experience
§ Hot smoke

End Appearance
§ Looks different to CA - increased
air gaps due to paper layering
Theoretical Ideal Paper required

• For decades people have conducted Appearance the

research to find a direct replacement to

same as CA

cellulose acetate Same

Environmentally
performance as
Friendly
CA
• To date there are no direct replacements
The
• Paper material suppliers are seeking
solutions that will close the gap
Perfect
Cost equal to or
lower than CA Paper Same runability
as CA

Same physical Same taste as

feel as CA CA
Commercial Paper Manufacturers for Filters

SWM Schweitzer- Swiss Quality

Heng Feng Paper McAirlaids Green Butts
Mauduit Paper

• 26 gsm semi • 36 gsm semi • 36 gsm semi • Genia airlaid • Mix material
crepe crepe crepe paper paper
• Long fibre material • Standard industry • Standard industry • Improved taste • Offers improved
gives better end product product characteristics over taste characteristics
appearance semi crepe paper over standard papers
• 36 gsm carbon
• 36 gsm semi paper
crepe • Carbon impregnated
• Standard industry paper which can
product improve paper taste

• 45 gsm semi
crepe
• Allows for lower PD
filters at acceptable
hardness
Additives for Paper Filters

• Additives can play an important role in improving the taste of paper filters
• Will bring the smoke closer to cigarettes with CA filters
• Reduce the hot and dry feeling of smoke
• Reduce mouth irritation
• Activated charcoal is an additive that can be applied in either a liquid, powder or
granular. The impact is to remove the harshness of smoke but also reducing the semi
volatile compounds
• Triacetin (PZ) can be added but the loading can be variable of time
• Propylene Glycol (PG) can be added and is more stable in loading over time
• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) can be added and used as a carrier for other additives
• A combination of liquid additives can also be considered PZ/PG mix
 Effects of Additives on Semi Volatiles in Smoke

Impact of Additive on Paper Activate Charcoal vs Sepiolite

100 70

60
80
50

60
Retention

Retention
40

30
40

20
20
10

0 0
Pyridine Furfural Pyrrole Furf. Alc Phenol Indol e Dipentene Phytadiene Nicoti ne Methanol Acel tad ME Acrolei n Acet one Isoprene Butadione Butanone Benzene Toluene
Cyanide
Acet ate Paper Paper+PG
Carbon Sepiolite
 Gap Analysis

Processability Smoking Visual Appearance

Cigarette Manufacturer

Cigarette Consumer
Filter Processing

• Higher Pressure Drop Variation

• End appearance before & after • End appearance before smoking
• Circumference Control smoking • Staining pattern
• Hardness and Resilience • Staining pattern
• Filter firmness during smoking
Filter Material Performance • Moisture increase
Taste
• Filter Tar Retention • Does the product give satisfaction
• Filter Nicotine Retention Taste • Pack appeal

• Dryer smoke
• Increase irritation

Processability
• Conversion speed
• Waste
Considerations for Filter Manufacture

• To manufacture mono paper filters all you need is:

• Filter Material to give the desired customer pressure drop and hardness
• Plugwrap which could be standard or porous
• Glue either hotmelt, PVA or both

• Equipment to make a single specification in a single paper conversion machine can be

purchase from machinery manufactures such as Hauni, GD, ITM, Aiger and Montrade
however there are other considerations:
• Order change parts cost to make alternative specifications
• How to provide samples for customer evaluation
• Quality control equipment
• Alternative material specifications
Paper Filter Machines

Hauni ITM

GD Montrade
Essentra Eco Product Range

Old Website
Filtrona Eco Range

New Website
Brands Using Sustainable Filters
Suggested Way Forward

• Decide on the paper type to produce do you go mainstream with 36gsm semi crepe or
develop something more specialized
• Ensure the quality is of a high standard
• Lowest gsm variability as possible
• Allow slitting into any width as this dictates PD and Hardness for a given filter circumference
• Can you create a paper uniqueness
• By adding additive during manufacture
• Can you establish a strategic alliance with a multinational company and give exclusive
supply
• Consider filter manufacture only when the volume of raw material is widely used
• Ensure capacity on filter maker is maxed out before purchase
• Use Filtrona/Namuna Banger for small scale orders and samples
Paper Materials for Paper
Filters
Thank You
Q&A