Indonesian Tobacco Paper Manufacturer Develops Eco-Friendly Filters to Address Environmental Concerns
In a candid interview with 2FIRSTS at the GTNF in Seoul, Liem Khe Fung, Chief Innovation Officer of Indonesia's leading tobacco paper production company, PT. Bukit Muria Jaya (BMJ), highlighted the growing demand for environmentally-friendly products in the tobacco industry. In response to this challenge, the company has embarked on the development of a new biodegradable paper filter.
The decision to venture into the paper filter business, Liem explained, primarily stems from their decades-long experience in tobacco paper manufacturing. Secondly, the firm's commitment to innovation is driven by an ambition to offer the tobacco industry an environmentally-conscious solution, especially given the high costs and tight supply associated with conventional acetate filters.
"We are eager to innovate and address our customers' needs. Our goal is to assist clients in sustaining their cigarette production as it subsequently leads to purchasing our paper. Thus, our growth plans encompass both paper manufacturing and future filter production in cooperation with filter producers," Liem elaborated.
When comparing between the filters used in e-cigarettes and traditional rolled cigarettes, Liem conceded that current paper filters on the market still can't rival the performance of conventional acetate filters. The latter isn't affected by moisture, whereas paper filters tend to absorb it, degrading their efficacy. However, PT. Bukit Muria Jaya (BMJ) is researching a cellulose-based material that remains biodegradable yet is non-absorbent to moisture, aiming to boost the paper filter's performance.
Addressing environmental concerns, Liem pointed out their innovative approach to mitigate the waste disposal issue of disposable filters. Traditional disposable filters, particularly acetate ones, pose environmental challenges due to their plastic nature, making them difficult to recycle and biodegrade. The company's innovations aim to ensure the filters excel not only in performance but also contribute positively to the environment.
While the growth of the e-cigarette market could potentially impact the conventional cigarette industry, Liem mentioned that its influence in the Indonesian market remains minimal. Indonesians have a distinct preference for traditional clove cigarettes, a taste not easily replicated by e-cigarettes. Nevertheless, the company is also strategizing to allocate some production towards papers suitable for food packaging, adapting to market shifts.
Liem emphasized that their Innovation team is relentlessly working to ensure their products are not only top-performing but also contribute positively to environmental sustainability. They are optimistic that their innovative paper filters will offer a viable solution in a market increasingly conscious of environmental issues, addressing the eco-challenges posed by disposable filters.
