Manufacturing
What Are HNB Granules? Inside Heated Tobacco Sticks
By KOKEN Editorial Team · Published · 3 min read
HNB granules are small, uniform particles of processed tobacco or herbal material used as the filling in heat-not-burn sticks. They are made so that the material heats evenly and releases flavour and aerosol at the temperatures HNB devices use.
Why heated sticks use granules
Cut tobacco in a cigarette is designed to burn. In a heated stick, the material needs to release flavour and aerosol when warmed, without combustion. Processing the material into granules gives manufacturers control over particle size, density, moisture and the distribution of humectants and flavour, so each stick behaves the same way in the device.
What granules are made from
- Base material: processed tobacco for tobacco sticks, or plant material for herbal sticks.
- Humectants: substances such as glycerine that help form aerosol when heated.
- Binders: help the material hold its granular shape.
- Flavourings: create the flavour profile, from classic tobacco to fruit, mint or coffee.
How granules are typically made
- Preparation: the base material is cleaned, dried and ground to a consistent particle size.
- Mixing: humectants, binders and flavourings are blended in evenly.
- Granulation: the mixture is formed into granules of a controlled size.
- Drying and conditioning: moisture is brought to the target level so granules flow and heat consistently.
- Sieving and testing: off-size particles are removed and batches are checked before going to stick production.
From there, granules are filled into the stick rod. Our guide on how HNB sticks are made covers the next steps.
Granules vs cast-sheet filling
| Granules | Cast or reconstituted sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Small, loose particles | Thin sheet that is crimped or cut and gathered |
| Main advantage | Flexible formulation and even filling | Uniform sheet structure |
| Used in | Many heated and herbal stick designs | Many heated tobacco stick designs |
Both approaches are used in the industry. The right choice depends on the device's heating method and the stick design.
Questions to ask a granules manufacturer
- Which base materials and flavour directions can you produce?
- How do you control particle size and moisture from batch to batch?
- Which devices are your granules and sticks designed for?
- Can you develop or adjust a flavour for a private-label programme?
- What documentation can you provide for my target market?
For a fuller checklist, see how to choose an HNB manufacturer.