Leading Indonesian Tobacco Paper Manufacturer Develops Eco-Friendly Filters to Address Environmental

With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the tobacco industry is also facing a demand for environmentally friendly products. To address this issue, the Indonesian tobacco paper manufacturing company PT Bukit Muria Jaya has decided to develop a new type of biodegradable paper filter to tackle environmental challenges.

[Two Above reports from Seoul, South Korea] On September 21, during the GTNF forum in Seoul, the innovation director of PT Bukit Muria Jaya, Liem Khe Fung, accepted an exclusive interview. He stated that with the increasing awareness of environmental protection, the tobacco industry is also facing a demand for environmentally friendly products. To address this issue, PT Bukit Muria Jaya has decided to develop a new type of biodegradable paper filter to tackle environmental challenges. 

Staff from Two Above took a photo with Liem Khe Fung, the innovation director of PT Bukit Muria Jaya (center) Source | Two Above 

Liem Khe Fung stated that the reason the company is investing in the paper filter business is primarily because they are a company focused on tobacco paper manufacturing with decades of experience in producing tobacco paper. Secondly, they actively pursue innovation and hope to provide an environmentally friendly solution for the tobacco industry to address the current high prices and supply shortages of acetate filters.

Liem Khe Fung said, "We are eager to innovate and solve customer problems. We want to help customers continue producing cigarettes because only then will they buy our paper. Therefore, our development includes not only paper manufacturing but also future collaborations with filter companies to develop eco-friendly filters." 

When comparing paper filters with those for e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, Liem Khe Fung noted that the performance of paper filters currently on the market cannot match that of traditional acetate filters. Paper filters absorb moisture, which reduces performance, while acetate filters are not affected by moisture. However, the company is developing a cellulose-based material that does not absorb water but is still biodegradable to enhance the performance of paper filters. 

Regarding environmental issues, Liem Khe Fung stated that they are seeking innovative methods to address the disposal problem of disposable filters. Traditional disposable filters, especially acetate filters, are difficult to recycle and degrade due to their plastic properties, posing an environmental burden. The company's innovation aims to ensure that filters are not only excellent in performance but also contribute to environmental protection. 

Although the growth of the e-cigarette market may impact the traditional cigarette industry, Liem Khe Fung mentioned that the influence of e-cigarettes in the Indonesian market is still not significant, as Indonesians tend to prefer clove cigarettes, which are not easily replaced by e-cigarettes. However, they also plan to shift part of their production capacity towards producing paper suitable for food packaging in response to market changes.

Liem Khe Fung emphasized that their R&D team is working hard to ensure that their products excel not only in performance but also make positive contributions to environmental protection and sustainability. They believe that innovative paper filters will provide a viable solution for the increasingly environmentally conscious market, with the potential to improve the environmental issues associated with disposable filters.