The tobacco industry is shifting towards biodegradable materials, particularly in the realm of cigarette filters through continuous innovation, as evidenced by 306 patents filed between 2009 and 2022. Our analysis of this patent data set identified three key areas driving advancements: Filter, Mouthpiece, or Adsorbent, Standard Cigarettes and Cellulose and its Derivatives.
Also, the Europe (EPO) emerged as the leading contributor in research and development, while top companies included Japan Tobacco, Philip Morris Products Sa and Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation.
Additionally, the analysis revealed key inventors like Kim Jong Yeol (Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation), Einzmann Mirko (Lenzing Ag) and Goldhalm Gisela (Lenzing Ag) as significant players in shaping the future of biodegradable cigarette filters.
This report delves into the patent filings w.r.t Biodegradable Cigarette Filters , unveiling not just technical intricacies but also the patent filing trend, leading companies, and innovators involved in innovation within this domain. Stay tuned to read other insights on the same!
This analysis is based on the patent data from 2011-2022. Interested in the updated analysis?
What is the patent filing trend in Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry?
Understand the trajectory of patent filings in the domain. How has the innovation and patent filing activity in the space of biodegradable filters for the cigarette industry evolved over the years?
The table below provides the number of applications filed and the number of patents granted from the year 2011 to 2022.
| Year | Applications Filed for Biodegradable materials in Tobacco Industry | Patents Granted for Biodegradable materials in Tobacco Industry |
| 2022 | 10 | 2 |
| 2021 | 34 | 6 |
| 2020 | 42 | 6 |
| 2019 | 36 | 13 |
| 2018 | 12 | 19 |
| 2017 | 4 | 6 |
| 2016 | 4 | 9 |
| 2015 | 6 | 14 |
| 2014 | 6 | 14 |
| 2013 | 11 | 7 |
| 2012 | 5 | 14 |
| 2011 | 3 | 13 |
Technology Overview of Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry
The technology analysis of patents related to biodegradable cigarette filters explores emerging technologies aimed at minimizing environmental impact by tobacco products and the patents have been classified into distinct technological categories.
This overview provides technological categorizations ranging from categories such as cellulose and its derivatives, paper/cardboard to E-cigarettes/Vapes, to unveil the specific areas of innovations which contribute to ongoing evolution of eco-friendly solutions in tobacco sector.
Evolution of Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Technology: 2009-2022
The chart below showcases the technology through the years 2009 to 2022 for the Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry
Key companies filing patents in Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry
The chart below showcases the top 15 companies actively involved in research and development of sustainable solutions in tobacco industry.
Contrary to expectations, chemical manufacturers like Lenzing and Daicel, hold the top spot for sustainability efforts in the industry, leaving behind even British American Tobacco. While not directly involved in tobacco production, their provision of key materials, such as cellulose acetate tow for cigarette filters, underscores their significant impact on sustainability within the tobacco sector.
The table below shows the number of patents assigned to the top 25 companies involved in biodegradable innovations in the tobacco industry.
| Companies Name | Patent Count |
| Japan Tobacco | 32 |
| Philip Morris Products Sa | 27 |
| Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation | 22 |
| Lenzing Ag | 14 |
| Daicel | 12 |
| RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company | 12 |
| British American Tobacco | 10 |
| Celanese Acetate Llc | 9 |
| Eastman Chemical Company | 9 |
| Delfort Group Ag | 7 |
| Nippon Paper Group Inc | 6 |
| Kolon Industries | 6 |
| Shenzhen Kaishen Technology Co Ltd | 5 |
| Acetate International Llc | 4 |
| Solvay Acetow Gmbh | 4 |
| Essentra | 4 |
| China Tobacco | 4 |
| Schweitzer Mauduit International Inc | 3 |
| Republic Technologies Na Llc | 3 |
| Shenzhen Zhiye Technology Co Ltd | 3 |
| Good Tree International Inc | 3 |
| Reemtsma Cigarettenfabriken Gmbh | 3 |
| Swm Luxembourg Sarl | 2 |
| Plonq | 2 |
| Gd Spa | 2 |
Technology Overview of Key Companies
New entrants in the Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry
The chart below provides an overview of the recent influx of new entrants into dynamic landscape of tobacco industry working towards sustainability.
Technology Overview
This overview provides technological categorizations ranging from categories such as filter, mouthpiece or adsorbent, standard cigarettes to E-cigarettes/Vapes, to unveil the specific areas of innovations and contributions of the new entrants in identification of biodegradable solutions in tobacco sector.
Who are the leading innovators in the Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry?
The table below shows the number of patents assigned to the top 25 inventors involved in biodegradable innovations and solutions in the tobacco industry.
| Inventors Name | Patent Count |
| Kim Jong Yeol | 14 |
| Einzmann Mirko | 13 |
| Goldhalm Gisela | 13 |
| Carlyle Tom | 12 |
| Hayhurst Malcolm John | 12 |
| Cheong Bong Su | 10 |
| Cho Hyun Suk | 10 |
| Mayer Katharina | 9 |
| Papakyrillou Stefanos | 9 |
| Sagerer Foric Ibrahim | 9 |
| Kim Soo Ho | 9 |
| Sebastian Andries D | 8 |
| Ki Sung Jong | 7 |
| Taniguchi Hiroki | 6 |
| Volgger Dietmar | 6 |
| Yang Burm Ho | 6 |
| Jeong Jong Cheol | 6 |
| Jin Sang Woo | 6 |
| Bachmann Stefan | 6 |
| Garrett Thomas S | 6 |
| Kim Woo Chul | 6 |
| Combs Michael T | 6 |
| Ga Kyokutou | 6 |
| Seo Man Seok | 5 |
| Yoshimura Tetsuya | 5 |
Which countries have filed patents in the Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry?
The chart below provides an overview of the patent filings for biodegradable solutions in the tobacco industry in various countries.
Where are Research Centres of the Biodegradable Filters for the Cigarette Industry Located?
The chart below represents the major research and development centres contributing towards biodegradable innovations in the tobacco industry.
Which are the prominent R&D hubs for biodegradable filters of cigarettes i.e. from which countries is the innovation originating and being protected in the regions of interest?
Despite the dominance of major tobacco corporations originating from the United States, like Altria Group(formerly Philip Morris Companies) and Reynolds American (now part of British American Tobacco), our analysis reveals a surprising trend: the European Patent Office (EPO) garners the highest number of patents related to sustainability within the tobacco industry.
This suggests that Europe is at the forefront of innovation and research in sustainable practices within tobacco cultivation, manufacturing, and product development.
As the world’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco, it is surprising to note that China stood 5th when it came to innovations in biodegradable materials within tobacco industry. Other largest producers of tobacco like India, Indonesia & Brazil didn’t even make it on the Top 10 List.
Leading companies in Europe (EPO) filing patents in Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 15 leading companies within Europe (EPO) involved in biodegradable innovations in the tobacco industry.
Philip Morris Products Sa (19) is the prominent company with highest number of patents signifying its contributions in sustainability in tobacco industry. Lenzing Ag (13) and Japan Tobacco (12) closely follow Philip Morris Products Sa in the number of patents owned by the company.
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents related to biodegradable materials in tobacco industry within Europe (EPO) provides a detailed analysis of patented sustainable innovations and key technological trends in the region. The categorizations ranging from cellulose and its derivatives to heated tobacco sticks (HTS/HNB) offers a comprehensive overview of Europe’s (EPO) contributions towards sustainability in the tobacco sector.
Leading companies in USA filing patents in Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents related to biodegradable materials in tobacco industry within United States of Americaprovides a detailed analysis of patented sustainable innovations and key technological trends in the region. The categorizations ranging from filter, mouthpiece or adsorbent to polylactic acid (PLA) offers a comprehensive overview of United States of America’s contributions towards sustainability in the tobacco sector.
Leading companies in South Korea filing patents in Biodegradable Cigarette Filters Industry
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 15 leading companies within South Korea involved in biodegradable innovations in the tobacco industry.
Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation (21) is the prominent company with highest number of patents signifying its contributions in the biodegradable industry. Kolon Industries (6)and Taeyoung Industry Corp (2) follow Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation in number of patents owned by the company.
Technology Overview
The technological categorization of patents related to biodegradable materials in tobacco industry within South Korea provides a detailed analysis of patented sustainable innovations and key technological trends in the region. The categorizations ranging from filter wrapping/coating to standard cigarettes offers a comprehensive overview of South Korea’s contributions towards sustainability in the tobacco sector.
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