Tag: FEELM Air

  • FEELM Earns Chinese E-Cigarette Production License

    FEELM Earns Chinese E-Cigarette Production License

    One of the largest and most influential e-cigarette brands now has its production license in China.

    FEELM, the flagship atomization technology platform belonging to Smoore – the world’s largest vape manufacture, earned the e-cigarette production licenses after completing all the necessary requirements set out earlier this year by the Chinese government.

    The license was obtained from China’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA), the country’s top regulator of tobacco products.

    In early 2022, China brought forward new national standards for electronic cigarettes, which required companies manufacturing vapor products to obtain a production license.

    Three Smoore factories, two of which are licensed under the FEELM brand, have been granted production licenses, with FEELM also receiving official approval to produce e-cigarettes as its own entity, according to a press release.

    Smoore welcomed China’s new policy framework, ensuring that all e-cigarette manufacturers operate in full compliance with the law.

    “It is Smoore’s aim to continue to use science and technology as the driving force behind its business model, actively promoting the long-term sustainability of the industry and supporting its global client and customer base,” the release states.

    FEELM’s products are already available in more than 50 countries around the world.

    In 2022, FEELM launched its innovative disposable vaping device, FEELM Max, along with the world’s first ultra-thin vaping device, FEELM Air.

    These new products will be available in the U.S., Europe, Africa and additional markets.

    FEELM now has a total annual production capacity of two billion devices and also has the first fully automated production line in the vapor industry with the ability to produce more than 7,200 atomizers per hour.

    “The high-quality production processes are centered on continual improvements to the customer’s vaping experience,” according to the release.

    According to Frost & Sullivan, Smoore is the world’s largest vaping device manufacturer in terms of revenue, accounting for 22.8 percent of the total global market share in 2021.

    Its global market share is bigger than the combined total of those companies listed from No.2 to No.5.

    Less than 50 e-cigarette related companies, including retailers and manufacturers, have met the new restrictions and received licences from the authority so far, STMA’s website shows.

    There are an estimated 1,500 companies involved in the vaping industry, according to calculations by the Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC) last year.

    However, more licenses are expected to be issued in coming months as regulators work through a backlog of applications, according to news reports.

     

  • First Ceramic Coil Disposable Debuts at Vape Expo U.K.

    First Ceramic Coil Disposable Debuts at Vape Expo U.K.

    As the popularity of disposable vapes grows, more users are calling for a disposable that includes a ceramic coil. Many vapers believe that ceramic coils provide more flavor and a significantly better vaping experience. Today, FEELM, the flagship atomization brand for Smoore International, showcased the industry’s first ceramic coil disposable pod solution series, the FEELM Max, series during the Vapor Expo U.K. 2022 in Birmingham.

    In a press release, the company states that almost all the existing disposable vapes are equipped with cotton coil, which produces relatively large aerosol particles leading to inefficient deposition of inhaled particles in the lungs. This results in low nicotine delivery and satisfaction, as well as harshness in throat.

    Soft cotton coils are unable to form a stable structure, which causes a high leakage rate and an unpleasant burnt taste. The uneven heating of cotton coils could also cause a weak flavor consistency, so that vaping the experience will fade gradually over time. Moreover, the selling points of most disposable vapes currently focus on large-mouth puff count (the huge number of puffs that the disposable will provide).

    The FEELM Max has largely improved e-liquid utilization by virtue of a cotton-free structure and microporous ceramic coil, according to FEELM. The Max’s puff number is increased by 25 percent with the same e-liquid volume compared with traditional cotton coil disposable vapes.

    Credit: Timothy S. Donahue

    “Besides, it can provide an unprecedented silky-smooth vaping experience, thanks to the ceramic coil, which generates smaller vaporized aerosol particles, thereby minimizing residue in throat,” the release states. “In contrast to cotton coil disposable vapes, the smoothness is improved also by 30 percent. This innovation also boasts extraordinary flavor consistency of over 95 percent since a ceramic coil can guarantee constant vapor production that brings the same strong and great taste till the last puff.”

    FEELM Max also features a 46 percent increase in overall harm reduction performance compared with cotton coil vapes, and an ultra-low vaping leakage rate of less than 0.03 percent because FEELM’s Maze Leakage-proof Technology. “The smaller vaporized aerosol particles generated by FEELM ceramic coil tend to deposit more in the lung bringing greater and faster satisfaction,” the release states. “Meanwhile, FEELM’s patented Flavor-Lock technology can bring tailored flavor release with terraced temperature zones.”

    At Vaper Expo UK 2022, FEELM also showcased other industry-leading, pioneering disposable vaping solutions, for example, eco-friendly non-nicotine disposable e-cigarette and anti-dust mouthpiece hygienic e-cigarette. These two have been awarded Red Dot Awards for Product Design 2022 for their green product concepts and avant-garde design.

    “Unlike traditional disposable e-cigarettes made of plastic, the external structure of eco-friendly non-nicotine disposable e-cigarette is composed of recyclable and reusable paper and aluminum foil while anti-dust mouthpiece hygienic e-cigarette features a twist nozzle to prevent the contact of mouthpiece with something unclean, with the product concept originated from lipsticks,” the release states.

    Another award-winning solution displayed at the event is FEELM Air, the world’s thinnest ceramic coil vape pod solution. In collaboration with its global clients, FEELM has demonstrated a series of vaping products of regional leading brands that adopt FEELM Air solution. Moreover, it will announce the 2022 timeline of commercial launch of FEELM Air on a global scale at a later date.

  • Simply Perfect

    Simply Perfect

    Numerous small changes come together in possibly the most reliable and consistent pod system ever created.

    By Mike Huml

    The FEELM Air pod system from Smoore boasts a plethora of groundbreaking innovations. From safety to performance, the FEELM Air comes with a laundry list of improvements over past iterations of pod systems. As the largest vapor manufacturer in the world, Smoore has poured resources into refinement of its technologies to produce a near-perfect pod system.

    The FEELM Air is a closed pod system, so each 2 mL pod is disposable. The pods are held in the battery section with strong magnets, and there truly isn’t much more to speak of concerning operation. The simplicity is a huge benefit for those who are seeking a no-hassle vape experience. There is no airflow adjustment, no power adjustments and no buttons whatsoever. The FEELM Air is activated by airflow to more closely replicate the sensation of smoking.

    Further, Smoore has incorporated the “world’s smallest linear motor,” which not only provides haptic feedback when a pod is connected or disconnected but also vibrates throughout each drag. This acts as confirmation that the pod is firing since there is no button to press but also gives a more turbulent feel to each drag that anyone accustomed to smoking will be familiar with. Dubbed “shockwave mode,” the vibration feature only consumes power equivalent to two puffs throughout a single battery charge cycle. While shockwave mode may be convenient for some, the vibration is sure to turn some people off, and as such, it would have been prudent for Smoore to incorporate an inconspicuous touch-sensitive button to toggle shockwave mode on and off.

    Aside from the inability to disable shockwave mode, the FEELM Air has no other issues and offers quite a bit in the way of innovation and refinement. At 7.8 mm, it’s the thinnest pod system available, making it great for taking out and about. It fits in pockets and pocketbooks easily, and it never leaks thanks to further improvements in the pod structure. Smoore uses “puzzle leakage-proof technology” and an absorption layer within the heating element to eliminate leaking.

    The juice flow channels are narrow enough that surface tension keeps condensation from backing up, and the absorption layer re-wicks the liquid back into the ceramic heating element. It works extremely well as the FEELM Air doesn’t leak when stored or stowed, doesn’t cause spitback even when multiple drags are taken in rapid succession and never produces dry hits due to slow wicking. By Smoore’s estimation, this design reduces leaking of any kind by 237 percent.

    The battery life of the FEELM Air is good and lasts through approximately half of a single 2 mL pod. By only firing at or around 6 watts, a smaller, thinner battery is adequate. The device is charged with an included USB-C cable that is capable of fully charging the battery in about 15 minutes. Additionally, the FEELM Air can be used while it’s charging, reducing the already low downtime to near zero. A constant power output of 6 watts may seem a bit weak, but thanks to the design of the heating element, it produces vapor equivalent to other pod systems that fire between 12 watts and 15 watts.

    Each heating element comprises seven different layers, each for a different purpose. In short, the heating element in each pod improves flavor, efficiency, safety, consistency and leakiness. Lower power, a more efficient heating element and a more uniform heating surface reduce exposure to heavy metals, ketones and aldehydes by 80 percent. A separate layer uses Smoore’s “flavor-lock” technology to increase flavor release by 33 percent. The smaller vapor particles produced by the ceramic heating element are also conducive to more efficient nicotine absorption, so each pod lasts a bit longer.

    It’s clear that Smoore has put significant resources toward improving the vaping experience provided by its pod systems, but how does it affect the end user? After all, heavily marketed features don’t always translate to better products. In the case of the FEELM Air, there is definitely a marked improvement in consistency over many other pod systems, but given the nature of innovation and refinement, don’t expect mind-blowing improvements to the established order. The improvements are subtle but effective, and the FEELM Air may be the most user-friendly device currently available, particularly for those with absolutely no knowledge of vaping.

    Case in point: There is a lot of literature pertaining to the “three innovations” and “seven breakthroughs” implemented in the design and creation of the FEELM Air. A new film designed for the heating element is 40 times thinner than that of the previous generation. The new ceramic coil is also 30 percent thinner. Seven layers of composite heating film are made from medical-grade materials and are created using a nanoscale vacuumed film-forming technique to produce a microporous bionic structure.

    The seven-layer heating element includes a nanoscale protection layer, a microporous flavor lock layer, a nano silver electro layer, a superabsorbent lock layer, a precise composite heating layer, a temperature control layer and a porous thermal resistance layer. These layers in tandem with the upgraded capillary structure incorporated into the pod itself contribute to the aforementioned reduced leakage and improved consistency. What does all of this actually mean?—It vapes good.

    However, even given the above information and more, there are still a few unknowns. What is the battery capacity? What is the nicotine strength of the e-liquid? Even with a lot of marketing, some basic information is omitted—but this is information only an experienced vaper would value. A new user probably wouldn’t care that the FEELM Air has a 100 mAh battery while Pod System B uses a 150 mAh battery.

    How does one measure “flavor release” to determine that it’s increased by 30 percent? And why would that matter for a pod that can’t be refilled? Will Smoore produce less expensive pods due to not needing as much flavor extract, or will the flavor be stronger than usual due to this flavor increase while the same e-liquid is used? How many of the claims benefit the industry or the user, and how many are just big words to use as filler for a brochure? With all the apparent detail provided, it’s suspicious that basic information was left out—or at least it would be if the FEELM Air was a poor product.

    Whatever Smoore is doing, it’s working because the FEELM Air is probably the most consistent pod system currently available. After significant usage, there was no spitback, no misfires, no leaking, no dry hits and no kind of any other issue. Each subsequent drag was identical to the previous one, and the flavor was admittedly good. It wasn’t leaps and bounds beyond other pod systems, but it was consistent, voluminous and flavorful enough.

    Operation couldn’t be simpler or more straightforward. Perhaps the reason for the lack of information that vapers are used to having access to (such as battery capacity) isn’t needed. For someone brand new to vaping, the FEELM Air requires virtually no explanation. Insert the pod; start vaping. Plug it in when the battery dies, and replace the pod when it’s empty. There’s no fiddling, no settings, no troubleshooting problems. It’s simple, and it works consistently.

    While the marketing for the FEELM Air seems a bit excessive and overly technical, Smoore clearly wants the industry and consumers to know the nature of the work they’ve been doing to improve the vaping experience and safety. Just the peace of mind brought about by knowing that the efficient, 6 watt output and seven-layer heating element are working to further reduce any harm caused by vaping or technical shortcomings may be enough to make the sale. The diminutive size is also a huge positive, but the vibration feature borders on gimmicky rather than useful.

    Tactile confirmation of automatic switch activation may provide an extra layer of protection against accidental firing, but that’s largely a solution to a problem that hasn’t existed in any meaningful way since 2010 when automatic switches would fire if music was played too loudly. Still, it’s a small complaint considering that the package as a whole is providing one of the best vape experiences for a pod system on the market.

    The FEELM Air from Smoore takes refinement to a new level. A multitude of small changes come together to provide possibly the most reliable and consistent pod system ever created. While everyday use won’t knock anybody’s socks off with massive clouds or tear-jerking flavor, it’s definitely among the best options for new users and smoking converts. As the vapor industry delves deeper into the era of refinement, these sorts of innovations will become commonplace. The average user won’t necessarily care about what each of the seven layers in the heating element actually do, but everyone will benefit from more consistency and, therefore, safety.

  • Smoore Reports 2021 Annual Revenue of $2.16 Billion

    Smoore Reports 2021 Annual Revenue of $2.16 Billion

    The China-based vaping technology manufacturer Smoore International announced its financial results for 2021. The company reported 2021 annual revenues of RMB13.75 billion ($2.16 billion), representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 37.4 percent.

    The company credited it’s FEELM atomization company and its innovative vaping solutions for its growing success. “The driving force of the atomization industry is technological innovations, which brings fundamental breakthroughs in product safety and flavor reproduction”, said Smoore Board Chairman, Chen Zhiping.

    Smoore’s Chairman and CEO Chen Zhiping

    In a press release sent to Vapor Voice, Smoore also pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in its direct and indirect production and operational activities by 2050. Smoore is the first atomization technology company to announce a roadmap to carbon neutrality.

    “In 2021, the global regulations on the electronic atomization industry have become more stringent, and many countries set higher safety standards for electronic atomization products while Smoore has still maintained its position as the world’s largest manufacturer of vaping devices,” the release states.

    According to Frost and Sullivan report, the Smoore’s market share in the global vaping devices manufacturing market has increased to approximately 22.8 percent in 2021 from approximately 18.9 percent in 2020.

    With its technological advantages in atomization, Smoore has continued to empower its global corporate clients, according to the release. Revenue from corporate client oriented sales exceeded RMB10 billion and reached RMB12.59 billion for the first time in the company’s history. The increase represents growth of 37.4 percent year-on-year, with overseas revenue accounting for over 70 percent of its corporate client oriented sales.

    “It is largely attributed to the company’s flagship closed system vaping tech brand FEELM, which has been widely recognized by leading vaping brands around the world,” the release states. “To date, vaping devices loaded with FEELM atomizer have been exported to 50 countries in Europe, America, East Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with its accumulated sales volume surpassing 3 billion pieces.”

    Year in review

    In 2021, SMOORE continued to strengthen its R&D investment. The total research and development expenses was approximately RMB670 million, representing an increase of approximately 59.7 percent over the previous year, according to Smoore.

    The company has also developed a comprehensive safety assessment system to help its clients comply with standards in different markets. For example, Smoore created and put into action China’s first corporate one-stop risk assessment laboratory for the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive compliance rules. The lab is capable of helping clients meet EU vaping market entry requirements, including having the ability to generate test reports within 5 working days.

    Smoore has also put into operation seven fundamental research centers in China and the U.S. As of Dec. 31, 2021, Smoore had a total of 1254 R&D experts, with 101 having a doctoral degree or above, according to the release.

    “The number of the company’s accumulative patent applications is 3408, involving temperature control, heating element, leakage-proof performance and e-liquid storage; and the number of new patent applications in 2021 was 1,187 globally,” the release states. “In 2021, Smoore also introduced the latest generation of production line, realizing the fully automated production of assembly, e-liquid injection, and packaging. Now, the single-line production efficiency has reached 7,200 standard vaporizers per hour, maintaining the industry’s leading position in manufacturing. The fully automated production line has been used by FEELM’s clients on a large scale.”

    According to the Frost and Sullivan Report, the global market size of vaping devices is expected to grow at a compound growth rate of approximately 25.3 percent from 2022 to 2026, and global consumers are expecting products with improved safety, more authentic flavor reproduction and powerful functions, to satisfy their diversified needs.

    “This is why FEELM introduced the world’s first ceramic coil disposable pod solution in 2021. FEELM will launch more disposable vaping products in overseas markets in 2022 to further strengthen its product portfolio,” the release states. “Moreover, in January 2022, FEELM has showcased the world’s thinnest ceramic coil vape pod solution, FEELM Air in London.”

    The FEELM Air features seven major breakthroughs in vaping experience, including harm reduction, flavor reproduction and leakage-proof performance. “FEELM Air is going to be firstly launched in overseas markets,” said Frank Han, president of FEELM and vice president of Smoore. “Currently, FEELM is working with global clients on the regional deployment and promotion of FEELM Air.”

    During Smoore’s 2021 Annual Performance Conference, Qiu Lingyun, vice president of Smoore said that the U.S and China have successively implemented a flavor ban on e-cigarettes, and Smoore has already prepared technical solutions for tobacco flavors in accordance with the U.S regulations over the last year, prior to the exposure draft of Chinese national standards of e-cigarettes that comes into force on May 1.

    “Moreover, disposable vapes have shown strong growth momentum in recent years,” said Qiu Lingyun. “Smoore has developed integrated solutions to the heating element, e-liquid and temperature zone of disposable vapes, in a bid to diversify its product portfolio. Thus, SMOORE has been ready to launch successful disposable products in international markets soon.”

  • Optimized Vaping Solution, FEELM Air, Launches in U.K.

    Optimized Vaping Solution, FEELM Air, Launches in U.K.

    FEELM CEO Frank Han

    The FEELM Air is a next-generation vaping solution that uses a new ultra-slim, bionic film ceramic coil.

    By Timothy S. Donahue

    The vaping industry can’t reach its full potential until the nicotine they provide can be absorbed into the body as effectively as a combustible cigarette. The new FEELM Air fully integrated vaping solution brings the industry one step closer to that goal. The FEELM Air offers several improvements on previous closed system vaping devices, including the next generation of FEELM’s industry leading ceramic coils.

    FEELM Air brings together three new innovations for its Ultra-slim Bionic Film ceramic coil, calling the new coil the world’s thinnest ceramic coil vape pod solution. During a launch event in London on Jan. 18, representatives of FEELM and the flagship atomization technology brand’s parent, Smoore International, detailed several of FEELM Air’s technological breakthroughs in the vaping experience, including ultimate design, reliability, flavor and an exceptional interactive experience.

    There are three major improvements to FEELM’s latest coil technology that are the cumulative achievements of a team of 500 scientists and nearly 7 years of research, according to FEELM representatives. “FEELM Air is the outcome of cross-disciplinary research, and a revolution to [the] ceramic coil, ” said Frank Han, president of FEELM at opening remark of the launch event. “It replaces the single-layer film with a 7-layer bionic ultra-slim film. The thickness of the film is reduced from 80 micrometers to 2 micrometers, which is 40 times thinner than the last generation.”

    The overall improvements of FEELM Air are attributed to the device’s use of a new generation of Ultra-Slim Bionic Film (USBF) ceramic coils, which incorporates a seven-layer composite heating film made of bionic material for the first time in the vaping industry. FEELM representatives said that each layer leads to an equally enhanced functionality.

    The second innovation in the USBF coil is its use of a Nanoscale Vacuumed Film-forming Technique to help the heating film distribute heat more evenly across the coil for accurate temperature distribution. The final innovation is a microporous bionic structure that provides smooth ventilation as well as a strong e-liquid locking layer to prevent any leakage.

    Additional improvements to FEELM’s USBF coil allow the overall FEELM Air to bring additional major breakthroughs to vaping experience, including an integrated Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS), the industry’s highest level of energy efficiency and its smallest linear motor, according to FEELM.

    “It has the world’s first seven-layer composite heating film made of bionic material. Most of the existing ceramic coils are single-layered, and now we have a seven-layered composite heating film,” a FEELM representative explained to Vapor Voice. “It can improve the harm reduction and improve the energy efficiencies and each layer will lead to a corresponding functionality improvement.”

    FEELM Air improves the overall harm reduction performance by 80 percent of previous generation ceramic coils. The numerous major breakthroughs the new device provides include:

    • The Hybrid Composites Heating Layer and the Nanoscale Protection Layer provide corrosion resistance, thereby reducing the emission of heavy metals by 78.6 percent. The temperature Control Layer with its thermal conductivity can reduce the emission of aldehydes and ketones by 80.7 percent due to localized over-heating.

    • In terms of energy optimization, FEELM Air boasts the world’s highest energy efficiency of 1.3mg/W, by virtue of three layers of composite materials. The Nano Silver Electro Layer can reduce invalid energy consumption while Porous Thermal Resistance Layer can effectively reduce heat loss.

    • The patented Microporous Flavor-LockLayer improves average flavor release by 33% percent. It’s terraced temperature zone and multi-layered atomization allow for a tailored flavor release in different temperature zones and produces aerosols in smaller particle size for consumers to taste the flavor thoroughly and allow for a lower lung absorption that previous generation coils.

    • FEELM Air also uses a second-generation of the company’s “puzzle leak-proof” technology that decreases leakage rates by 237 percent. It introduces an upgraded capillary structure and an innovative choke valve to prevent condensation, alongside a Superabsorbent Lock Layer can effectively prevent e-liquid splashing.

    • The innovative FEELM Air also uses the world’s smallest linear motor, which offers a unique “Shock-wave Mode”, that allows users to include delicate vibrations that allow consumers to feel the resonance in every puff. The power consumption of vibrations per charge is as low as 0.06 percent (equal to two puffs).

    • The FEELM Air also has industry’s first superpower management system TOPOWER, which allows for eight hours of vaping with only a 10-minute charge. The energy density is increased by 20 percent and the battery life is increased by 30 percent over previous generations, according to FEELM. The device also adopts an integrated MEMS, which functions as a reliable airflow switch, to improve the sensitivity of the device while preventing mis-activation.

    “Ever since the launch of the world’s first black ceramic atomization coil with metallic film in 2016, FEELM has changed the whole competitive landscape, ushering in a new era of ceramic coil. It has largely enhanced harm reduction with accurate heating temperature control and revolutionized vaping experience with smooth and pure taste till the last puff,” said Han. “More importantly, FEELM has effectively addressed the industry’s pain points of leakage and dry hits.”

    To keep up with the enhanced vaping experience the FEELM Air provides vapers, the company announced the launch of its second generation of the FEELM taste evaluation model during the FEELM Air launch event. To better understand taste experiences while vaping, FEELM introduced its first taste evaluation model in December 2020 that gave FEELM researchers the ability to describe the taste of atomization scientifically. Composed of four dimensions – flavor, strength, note and vapor – and 51 specific indexes, the model establishes a system to evaluate the human senses of mouth, tongue, nose and throat.

    “Now, it’s five dimensions and 65 indexes. It’s more complicated in evaluating aroma, aftertaste, taste/mouthfeel, impact and vapor property. We built up an in-house sensory evaluation team. We have experts with certain backgrounds in tobacco science and vaping taste evaluations,” a FEELM representative said. “They team’s experience in the science of evaluating flavors ranges from 5 years to 13 years. They are the experts in evaluating vape ingredients.”

    During the event, Han also announced a brand refresh for FEELM. The new brand concept is composed of five words: Feel, Engine, Exploration, Lifestyle and Memory, echoing the five letters of the brand’s name. He has also unveiled the new logo, which has the contour of ceramic coil in the shape of a window. It symbolizes “FEELM’s Window to Ultimate Sensation”, said Han. “The ‘open window’ stands for the infinite pursuit of a better sensory experience, representing FEELM’s commitment to ultimate sensation.”

    The FEELM Air may be the bridging device that brings vaping magnitudes closer to the nicotine delivery and sensory experience combustible cigarette smoking offers, only in a format that Public Health England has said is 95 percent safer. It’s too early to tell, but the FEELM Air may motivate an even greater number cigarette smokers to switch to vaping than previous devices.

    “Vaping devices loaded with FEELM atomizers have been exported to over 50 countries in Europe, America, East Asia, Africa and Oceania with an accumulated sales volume of over 3 billion pieces,” Han said. “FEELM has never stopped the constant exploration for ultimate sensation. By virtue of FEELM Air, equipped with the Ultra-Slim Bionic Film Ceramic Coil, FEELM is ready to drive another paradigm shift in the global vaping industry, leading the second sensory revolution of ultra-slim devices and ceramic coils.”