Key Points:
● Supply chain moves are often seen as indicators of corporate strategy.
● CNTC’s investment in pouch packaging equipment and technology suggests active preparation for nicotine pouch product R&D and manufacturing.
● This development further validates earlier market speculation.
SHENZHEN, Aug. 25, 2025 (2Firsts)-According to a report by China’s tobacco industry media Tobacco Online, China Tobacco Logistics Technology Co., Ltd. recently held its first 3D technical review meeting with German labeling equipment manufacturer HERMA. The session, conducted online, focused on the joint development of a three-sided labeling machine for oral nicotine pouches. This marks the official launch of a cooperative R&D effort targeting the Chinese market, with the goal of accelerating the localization of advanced labeling equipment.
During the two-hour review, technical experts from both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on key issues including material feed system optimization, dynamic label angle control, real-time precision calibration via vision inspection, high-accuracy label positioning, and overall equipment structure design. The outcomes laid a solid foundation for subsequent design improvements.
Tobacco Online noted that the successful review represents an important milestone of mutual trust and collaborative innovation. China Tobacco Logistics Technology will advance design optimization based on the consensus reached, aiming for early localized production to fill the domestic gap in high-end equipment for new tobacco products.
It is worth noting that China Tobacco Logistics Technology is a subsidiary of China National Tobacco Corporation, with responsibilities including the development of packaging equipment for tobacco products in both manufacturing and distribution. As of this report, CNTC has not issued an official announcement regarding the collaboration. If confirmed, it would reinforce prior market speculation that CNTC is preparing to launch its own nicotine pouch products for domestic sale.
According to HERMA’s official website, the company employs nearly 1,100 people with an annual turnover exceeding €430 million. It is recognized as one of Europe’s leading suppliers of self-adhesive labeling and packaging solutions, operating as a family-owned, innovation- and sustainability-driven business for almost 120 years.
Participants from HERMA included Rainer Neuhaeuser, Head of the Labeling Division; Lei Yang, Head of Asia Pacific; and Fabian Wurmbauer, Chief Designer for oral pouch labeling machines. On the Chinese side, the meeting was attended by the dedicated R&D team for new oral pouch equipment at China Tobacco Logistics Technology, indicating that CNTC has already established a specialized team for nicotine pouch packaging development.
2Firsts will continue to follow up on this development.
Cover image generated by ChatGPT
