Mist Talk

Two "eliminable" awards won the Golden Leaf Award for supremacye-cigarettesInterview with "Metallic Ceramic Materials in the Atomization Core"real Innokin。

[Two Supreme Originals] On October 20, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China: China exported US $898 million of e-cigarettes in September, up 2.36% from the previous month. This is the first increase in e-cigarette exports since May this year. However, this data dropped by 8.29% compared with the same period last year. In addition to the sluggish growth of exports, the unit price of e-cigarettes exports has also dropped again and again.e-cigarette industryEnter "difficult mode".& nbsp;
In order to retain existing market share,"sacrificing profits" seems to have become an industry practice. But the answer is not the only one, and cutting prices to survive is not the right path to bring breakthroughs. If you pull the Timeline back into the past, whethernicotine saltThe advent of e-cigarettes and the rise of disposable e-cigarettes seem to point to the same path to create high growth in e-cigarettes-technological and product innovation.& nbsp;
At the 2023GTNF "Golden Leaf Award" award ceremony held in South Korea on September 20, Chinae-cigarette enterprisesreal InnokinInnokinWon the award for "a ceramic material that eliminates metals in the atomizing core". As an "underlying" technology for e-cigarettes, the non-metallic conductivity of this new material breaks through the inherent understanding of the industry. nbsp;
Can new non-metallic conductive ceramics lead the next generation technology trend of e-cigarettes? Can it drive the market to expand demand? Two Priests (2FIRSTS) recently held a dialogue with Xinyikang. nbsp;

Cui Tao, Director of Innovation, Strategy and Compliance of Xinyikang, received two exclusive interviews| real Innokin

 A replacement of e-cigarette heating components

2FIRSTS: First of all, tell us about the new material that Xinyikang won the "Golden Leaf Award"-a ceramic material that can eliminate metal in e-cigarette atomization cores.& nbsp;
INNOKIN: Our MeFree non-metallic conductive ceramics (metal-free conductive ceramic) is actually a relatively "bottom-level" innovation. nbsp;
We know that the structure of e-cigarettes mainly consists of three parts: one is a battery; the other is a heating component, including metal heaters and oil conductors-such as cotton or porous ceramics.smoke oilIt is transported to the heating body; and then there is the atomized substance, that is, smoke oil. The working principle of e-cigarettes is that the battery provides energy to the heating parts, and the oil guide guides oil to the heating body for atomization. Our new material is used in the second part-heating parts.& nbsp;

This technology is the most basic and core. Let's take a car as an example. The engine part is equivalent to the heater part of an e-cigarette, which will really affect the atomization effect and the production of harmful substances. We are now upgrading the core heating part.& nbsp;

Source of the appearance of the award-winning product: Xinyikang

2FIRSTS: Why is it a replacement? What is so special about this new material from Xinyikang?& nbsp;

INNOKIN: All e-cigarettes on the market now use metal to heat them. Just like the electric kettle we usually use, it generates heat by flowing through a metal resistance wire and boils the water (Note: refer to the working principle of the electric kettle). We are now replacing the metal of the heating components of e-cigarettes with conductive ceramics, which are non-metallic. It can be said that this is a breakthrough in achieving "from metal to non-metal". nbsp;
2FIRSTS: What are the advantages of this conductive ceramic compared to traditional metallic materials? What problems have been solved with e-cigarettes?& nbsp;

INNOKIN: The problem of metal materials is related to the characteristics of the metal itself.& nbsp;

First, let's talk about metals. In fact, pure metals are rarely used in the electronics industry at present, and are basically alloys, such as stainless steel, nickel-chromium alloys, etc. If the quality of the alloy material is not good enough, especially when the pH value of the tobacco oil is relatively low and acidic, some heavy metals may be released. This is a potential threat to consumers.& nbsp;

However, the main problem lies in the uneven heating of metals, which can be said to be one of the biggest problems in the e-cigarette industry. For example, a coil made of a piece of metal wire usually heats up first in the middle and then heats up on the side.& nbsp;#p#Pagination Title #e#

In fact, in the process of studying tobacco harm reduction, there are two main directions: one is to improve heating substances. For example, e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, and tobacco oil produces fewer harmful substances during the atomization process, mainly because tobacco oil only contains propylene glycol, glycerol, nicotine and flavors. Another is to improve the temperature and lower the temperature, which will also reduce the production of harmful substances. In this regard, domestic and foreign scholars and research institutions have published a large number of relevant research results. nbsp;

Xinyikang's MeFree conductive ceramics have very stable physical and chemical properties. Because the temperature during the sintering process of conductive ceramics is above 1500 degrees Celsius, its physical and chemical stability are very good, it is resistant to oxidation and corrosion, and there is basically no problem in the face of acid and alkali substances; in addition, its heating is very uniform and the heat is evenly distributed. Very good. Whether it is used in tobacco oil atomization, orheating non-burningOn the other hand, whether it is made into an atomizing sheet, a heating sheet, or a heating needle, it has the advantages of rapid, uniform heating,temperature controlAccurate characteristics.& nbsp;

When consumers use it, the most intuitive feeling is that the taste is purer and there is no metallic odor.& nbsp;

Regulatory pressure in Europe and the United States: How to reduce harmful substances? 

2FIRSTS: When did Xinyikang begin to study this ceramic material? In what context did this research start?& nbsp; 

INNOKIN: In fact, we have had this idea since 2016, because 2016 is a very important year for the e-cigarette industry." nbsp;

First, in May of that year, the European Union announced that it would implement TPD certification (EU Tobacco Products Directive), and then the US FDA proposed a PMTA review (pre-market product review of e-cigarettes). One of the core points of these two policies is that you must ensure that the quality of your products is safe and detect and report potentially harmful substances that may be produced during the atomization process. This puts forward higher requirements for the e-cigarette industry.

So at that time, we were thinking, how can e-cigarettes be healthier and safer? nbsp;
2FIRSTS: In other words, Xinyikang was "forced" to do this research by strict supervision in Europe and the United States?" nbsp; 

INNOKIN: Many people including use-cigarette companiesWith the goal of reducing the health damage caused by smoking on smokers, the introduction of regulatory measures in Europe and the United States has accelerated this process. In fact, in 2015, players accounted for a large proportion of consumers, mainly pursuing the taste and smoke volume (size) of e-cigarettes. Since then, product power has gradually increased. But at that time, some players only needed to have good taste and cool appearance. Although there was a consensus in the industry at the time that e-cigarettes were less harmful than smoking, safety had not been studied in more depth. nbsp;

But when regulations put forward higher requirements in 2016, security issues became the focus of attention. People began to propose products for temperature control because the industry realized that the higher the temperature, the more harmful substances produced. nbsp;

At that time, there were very few heating nets made of metal, mainlyheating wireLater, the number of atomized cores of metal heating mesh gradually increased. Whether it is a heating wire or a heating network, in fact, temperature control uses the relationship between resistance and temperature to establish a correlation function. But the problem is that the temperature of the heating body itself is uneven. Later, we also tried many materials, such as purer metal materials and better alloy materials. However, the characteristics of the material itself determine that it cannot achieve uniform temperature. Later, our research and development colleagues proposed a possible new material and felt that this material might be used in e-cigarettes, so we started to develop this material with our partners. nbsp;
2FIRSTS: Is this new material a metal-free conductive ceramic? How was this new material made at that time?& nbsp; 

INNOKIN: Right. In fact, we tried many materials at that time, first metal, and later we thought of using conductive ceramics. nbsp;

As a major category, conductive ceramics have applications in other industrial fields. Generally, metal powder is doped into ceramics, and the conductivity of the metal itself is used to make the ceramics conductive. However, this kind of conductive ceramic is not suitable for the field of e-cigarettes, because there are very few metals that can withstand the high temperature of ceramic sintering (above 1000 degrees Celsius). After sintering, the metallic conductive ceramic is easy to oxidize, has extremely poor resistance stability, and even loses low voltage. Conductivity. nbsp;

Later, we and our R & D partners took a different approach to give ceramics conductivity through ceramic modification and non-metallic substances. This non-metallic conductive ceramic is the first of our research and development unit. Together, we will further develop and improve them and eventually apply them in the field of e-cigarettes. Our non-metallic conductive ceramics are ionically conductive and have the characteristics of high stability, fast heating and good soaking properties.& nbsp;#p#Pagination Title #e#
2FIRSTS: How long did it take to study this conductive ceramic? When did the samples come out?& nbsp;

INNOKIN: It has been a long exploration. Exploration and research on the material system began in 2019, and functional testing will be carried out until mid-2022, and prototypes for consumers will be available at the end of the year. nbsp;

New products will be launched in large quantities as soon as possible in the first quarter of 2024 

2FIRSTS: Is this conductive ceramic currently commercially available on a large scale? What are they used for?e-cigarette productsUp?& nbsp; 

INNOKIN: We are commercializing our products. Currently, we don't have products on the market on a large scale. We are mainly cooperating with some customers to develop new products. nbsp;

This material is now mainly used in aspects such as atomization of tobacco oil and non-combustion by heating. It can be said that MeFree non-metallic conductive ceramics can do anything that metal resistance heating and atomization can do at present. nbsp;
2FIRSTS: What is customer feedback?& nbsp; 

INNOKIN: Very good. The customer's feedback is basically consistent with our internal test results, that is, from the perspective of personal experience, the taste will be smoother and purer, and the restoration of some (tobacco oil) flavors will be better.& nbsp;
2FIRSTS: When is it expected that e-cigarette products made of conductive ceramics will go on sale in large quantities?& nbsp; 

INNOKIN: It is estimated that it will not be until the first quarter of next year to see our products on a large scale in the market.& nbsp;
2FIRSTS: Will this new material be applied to e-cigarettes increase the cost of the product?& nbsp; 

INNOKIN: No, at present we can ensure that material costs will not increase; and after mass production, costs may be reduced. However, we cannot just look at the material cost, because making atomized cores and some links in the production process may also increase the cost. nbsp;
2FIRSTS: What plans does Xinyikang have for the application of this new material in various categories of products?& nbsp; 

INNOKIN: Now there are customers who are talking to us about cooperation and want to use this technology on disposable products. But for Xinyikang, we may first push and replace bombs, and then open.& nbsp;
2FIRSTS: The current increasingly stringent global regulation of e-cigarettes, especially disposable e-cigarettes, will it accelerate the entry of new products such as Xinyikang's conductive ceramic material e-cigarettes into the market?& nbsp;

INNOKIN: We think it will have a driving effect. At least we have seen that although disposable e-cigarettes have not been banned yet, the environmental problems caused by disposable e-cigarettes have attracted the attention of regulatory agencies in some countries. Some large formal channels in Europe, such as some supermarkets in the UK, have announced that they will no longer sell disposable e-cigarettes. However, consumers still have a demand for convenient and easy-to-use e-cigarettes, so they must switch to tamper-replaceable and open-style products. nbsp;

Moreover, from the perspective of market competition, some channel vendors who later entered into bomb replacement and open products are bound to attract consumers to enter their markets by launching better and more innovative products. This is an opportunity for new technologies-not only can it bring a better experience to consumers, but channel vendors will also have a competitive advantage.