JTI Pours P2.1 Billion More into Batangas Plant, Boosting Manufacturing Capacity

MANILA, Philippines — JTI International Asia Manufacturing Corp. (JTI-AMC) has invested P2.1 billion more in its manufacturing facility in Batangas, adding a new dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET) plant and doubling the capacity of its controlled atmosphere (CA) treatment facility. The Malvar facility is the first JTI manufacturing site in Southeast Asia to be equipped with DIET technology, the firm said in a statement. Of the additional investment, P1.9 billion ($34 million) went to the 2,006-square-meter DIET facility, bringing advanced processing technology closer to local production. DIET is an advanced tobacco-processing technology that expands tobacco to improve how the raw material is prepared and used in manufacturing. The technology supports greater consistency and efficiency in tobacco processing. JTI-AMC also invested over P177 million ($3 million) to expand its CA treatment facility, which helps preserve the quality and integrity of tobacco before it enters production, strengthening an important early stage of the manufacturing process. This doubled its treatment capacity after completion last July. With larger treatment capacity, the facility provides greater flexibility to manage manufacturing requirements while maintaining JTI’s standards for tobacco handling and product quality. “These fresh investments reflect our confidence in the Philippines, its economic potential and its importance to JTI’s operations,” Amir Vajdi, JTI-AMC factory lead, Philippines, said. “We continue to invest in the capabilities of our Batangas facility and in the people and technologies that will support its development over the long term,” he said. The company said the new technology builds on the Batangas facility’s established manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise. The site serves as JTI’s primary manufacturing hub for Asia, producing for the domestic market and exporting to 22 markets worldwide.