Staff Report Filtrona Filter Products has opened a new regional development center in Indonesia to provide customers in Asia with a dedicated resource for developing innovative new filter solutions with a local ‘flavor’. The new development center opened in January, 2010 and customers will be invited to visit to discuss filter design, see their samples being produced and offer instant feedback.
The new center in Indonesia enables customers in the Asia region to work in closer partnership with Filtrona on a local level. Customers have access to a team of local Filtrona technical specialists, designers and specialist machines enabling them to develop innovative new filter concepts specifically for the Asian market.
The location of the new regional development center also means that Filtrona has first-hand knowledge of local market trends, and the flexibility to tailor products according to regional needs.
“The new center’s position within Asia makes it possible for us to reduce costs for our customers in the region thanks to a reduction in shipping costs,” said PT Sreekumar, managing director for Filtrona Filter Products. “The use of local materials suppliers, shorter shipping times and the option for customers to visit Filtrona to discuss designs and see their samples being produced in person also provides an improved pace of action and enables faster commercialization of new developments.”
The new regional development center in Indonesia will have the facilities to produce samples of a wide variety of filter types, as well as being able to design filters and conduct development and factory trials. The Filtrona team based there will also be able to project manage any new developments and co-ordinate activities between Filtrona, its customers and suppliers to ensure a customer-focused, locally-adaptable service for those in the Asia region, all supported by the strength and expertise of Filtrona’s global operation and the knowledge base within the Filtrona technology center.
New product range
Filtrona Filter Products has announced the launch of a new range of filters called the Sensory Range. Filters in the new range have features which appeal to one or more of the senses, enabling cigarette manufacturers to create a smoking sensation as individual as their customers. The Sensory Range includes products that are a prime example of consumer relevant innovation and personal interaction being made available through the use of new flavor and sensory delivery mechanisms.
Filtrona is launching two new filters within the Sensory Range: the Sensation filter and the Strand filter. The Sensation filter engages with the senses of touch, hearing, smell and taste due to a small capsule embedded inside each tip which contains a flavored liquid additive with a controlled flavor load. On squeezing the filter, the capsule bursts with an audible ‘pop’ sound and the odor and flavor are released. The capsule can be crushed at any point during smoking of the cigarette – at the start for continuous flavoring for example, near the end, or not at all. It is down to the individual’s choice. This enables cigarette manufacturers to provide their customers with the freedom to create a new sensation exactly when they want it, depending on the taste experience preferred. There is also the option to produce a dual segment filter which allows manufacturers to combine the sensory benefits of the Sensation filter with other additives, such as activated carbon.
The Strand filter is the other new filter in the Sensory Range and engages with the senses of sight and taste and is the latest innovation in flavored filters. The filter has a patented acetate thread, which can be varied in thickness from a diameter of under one millimeter, up to several millimeters. The thread runs through the center of the filter and can be shaped, like a star or half moon for example, and made in a variety of colors. The flexible shaping and coloring process means that a range of options can be created according to the cigarette manufacturer’s specific requirements. The thread can also be seen at the mouth end of the filter providing manufacturers with additional brand differentiation opportunities and benefits.
The Sensory Range also includes Filtrona’s existing technologies for adding flavor, such as threads and cavities, which can deliver an extensive range of smells and tastes.
Russian website
Besides Asia, Russia is another market in which Filtrona Filter Products has a growing stake. The company has launched a new Russian language website, available at www.filtronafilters.ru.
With Eastern Europe being the second largest market in the world for cigarette consumption, and Russian being spoken across the region, the new website will enable Filtrona to offer customers in this area improved access to innovative, high-quality filter solutions for the region’s growing market segments of premium, slim and super slim, mentholated and carbon filtered cigarettes.
“By expanding the language base of our website we can keep our Russian speaking colleagues in the tobacco industry up to date with current developments.: said PT Sreekumar. “This, combined with the possibilities for technical exchange that the website provides, means we can build even stronger relationships with our customers and provide an improved pace of action to meet their needs.”
As well as news about current and upcoming developments from Filtrona, the website will provide customers with detailed information about Filtrona’s existing 12 ranges of cigarette filters, consisting of 46 different filter types, including the new Icon range. The Icon range is particularly suited to manufacturers in the Eastern European region, where volumes of premium cigarettes have almost doubled over the last decade. The range offers manufacturers the opportunity to branch into the premium distinctive end appearance niche market by giving their customers a high-quality, visually differentiated brand.
Naturally, the website will continue to evolve and will be regularly updated with news and information about new developments, services and research papers. Information about the company’s latest developments is also available from a regular e-newsletter which can be subscribed to via the website.
