BAT Opens Innovation Center at Global R&D Headquarters in Southampton

BAT by 2FIRSTS.ai
Mar.12.2024
BAT Opens Innovation Center at Global R&D Headquarters in Southampton
BAT opens an innovation center at its global R&D headquarters in Southampton, investing £30 million to enhance research capabilities.

According to a statement on the official website of British American Tobacco (BAT), the company has established an innovation center at its global research and development (R&D) headquarters in Southampton. This center will play a key role in the company's ongoing transformation and in pursuing its vision of creating a "better future".

 

A facility costing £30 million has enhanced and deepened the research and development capabilities of British American Tobacco, providing nine specially designed technology spaces to help develop the company's low-risk product portfolio. The Innovation Centre is dedicated to researching modern oral nicotine pouches, vape liquids and flavors, heated products, as well as new products beyond nicotine.

 

This investment will also support work in packaging, engineering, innovation development, and system integration.

 

The British American Tobacco Company's factory in Southampton has been the location of its research and development operations since 1956. It is one of the largest employers in the region, currently employing over 1,000 staff members from various parts of the UK. Its local supply chain includes over 25 suppliers, spread across more than 30 countries and regions.

 

British American Tobacco has more than 1,600 research and development experts in countries such as the UK, US, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, and China. In 2021, the company opened an innovation center in Trieste, Italy, and in 2022, in Shenzhen, China. British American Tobacco invests 3 billion pounds annually in research and development to develop new category products and establish evidence.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Survey Shows E-cigarette Use Doubles Among Young Thais
Survey Shows E-cigarette Use Doubles Among Young Thais
Thailand’s latest national health survey shows a sharp increase in e-cigarette use among people under 30, particularly among female adolescents. Researchers found that vaping has not reduced overall tobacco harm and has instead driven growth in new nicotine users, with younger ages of initiation. Public health experts urged sustained enforcement and comprehensive policies centred on banning e-cigarettes, strengthening law enforcement and expanding public awareness to protect children and youth.
Dec.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Altria CEO Billy Gifford to Retire; Sal Mancuso Named Successor
Altria CEO Billy Gifford to Retire; Sal Mancuso Named Successor
Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) announced that CEO Billy Gifford will retire at the conclusion of the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 14, 2026, after more than 30 years with the company. The Board of Directors has elected Salvatore (Sal) Mancuso, Altria’s current Executive Vice President and CFO, to succeed him as CEO.
Dec.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Six Years of Data Show FDA Clearing PMTA Backlog
Six Years of Data Show FDA Clearing PMTA Backlog
FDA data from FY2020 to FY2025 show how the PMTA system for e-cigarette products evolved after an early surge of submissions created prolonged front-end delays. Millions of applications accumulated at the Acceptance stage before entering substantive review. Since 2023, the number of applications pending acceptance has declined sharply, and industry participants report shorter initial decision timelines in late 2025.
Feb.06
Indiana SB 185 Advances: Foreign-Made Vapes Would Be Barred, With Focus on China
Indiana SB 185 Advances: Foreign-Made Vapes Would Be Barred, With Focus on China
Indiana State Sen. Ron Alting is backing Senate Bill 185, which would ban vape shops in Indiana from selling any foreign-made vaping products and restrict retail shelves to U.S.-made items. Alting has framed the proposal as a consumer-safety measure and has singled out China, citing industry reporting that China produces more than 90% of the world’s vape hardware.
Jan.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
 Breaking News | FDA Adds on! Plus Nicotine Pouches to PMTA-Authorized List
Breaking News | FDA Adds on! Plus Nicotine Pouches to PMTA-Authorized List
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added ON! Plus nicotine pouch products to its list of authorized products, disclosing that the brand has received Marketing Granted Orders (MGO) through the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) pathway. The update makes on! Plus the second nicotine pouch brand authorized via PMTA, following ZYN. As of publication, the FDA had not issued a separate press release on the decision.
News
Dec.20
China’s E-Cigarette Exports USD 1.096 billion in November, UK and South Korea Offset U.S. Decline
China’s E-Cigarette Exports USD 1.096 billion in November, UK and South Korea Offset U.S. Decline
China’s e-cigarette exports edged lower in November 2025, totaling USD 1.096 billion, down 0.2% month-on-month, as a decline in shipments to the United States was partially offset by stronger demand from the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China.
Dec.22 by 2FIRSTS.ai