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CORESTA Meeting, Smoke Science/Product Technology, 2019, Hamburg, ST 04

Paper components for heated tobacco products (HTPs)

FRITZSCHING T.; VOLGGER D.
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG, Wattens, Austria

While conventional cigarettes, which burn tobacco, and the consumables of heated tobacco products (HTPs) both use paper components, the requirements on the papers used for heated tobacco products differ substantially from those used on conventional cigarettes.

This study shall provide an overview over paper components used on HTPs, discuss their properties and explain how papermaking technology can be used to fulfil the requirements for HTPs.

Firstly, the paper components of current HTPs are analysed for their properties. These properties include common properties such as basis weight, thickness and air permeability but also thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, such as stiffness and other properties that are not usually considered for papers used on conventional cigarettes. Furthermore, anti-staining and special means to prevent the lighting of the consumable like a conventional cigarette will be discussed.

Secondly, some of the components of a consumable of a HTP can be made from paper and contribute to the functionality of the product, for example, by cooling or by filtering the aerosol. Options where paper can complement or replace other materials are discussed.

In a third part it will be explained how papermaking technology can be used to fulfil the requirements on paper components for HTPs. This includes the type and treatment of fiber and filler materials and other technologies such as coating or lamination.

In summary, papers for HTPs generally have higher basis weight, lower permeability and focus more on physical and mechanical properties as they are not burnt together with the tobacco. Compared to papers for conventional cigarettes, there is more freedom to design suitable papers. However, some difficult challenges remain, particularly regarding thermal stability.