KT&G has successfully launched its heat-not-burn product ‘lil’ in more than 20 markets globally through collaboration with Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI). It is an accomplishment KT&G has made within just two years of signing a supply agreement with PMI for overseas sales of ‘lil’ in January last year.

Last year, KT&G and PMI launched ‘lil Solid 1.0’ in Russia and Ukraine, and ‘lil Hybrid 2.0’ in Japan. This year, the two companies expanded into other markets including Kazakhstan, Serbia and Armenia, with ‘lil Solid 2.0’ as the flagship product. This August, an announcement was made that ‘lil’ was launched in a total 10 markets globally, Albania being the latest market at the time.

KT&G has successfully diversified its markets in the 4th quarter this year, which were previously focused in Southeastern Europe and Central Asia. In November, ‘lil’ was launched in Guatemala, the first market in Central America, and the company expanded into the Asian market further, launching ‘lil’ in Malaysia after Japan. Additionally in the same month, ‘lil Solid 2.0’ and its dedicated stick ‘Fiit’ were launched in Italy, totaling ‘lil’ availability in now more than 20 markets, outside of South Korea.

‘lil Solid 2.0’, the flagship product in overseas markets recently, is a second-generation model of KT&G’s heat-not-burn products. It boasts improved battery performance and induction heating technology, and it comes in two colors, ‘STONE GREY’ and ‘COSMIC BLUE’ outside Korea.

The dedicated sticks come in a total of eight variants including Fiit REGULAR and Fiit CRISP, and a new variant of stick, Fiit ALPINE has been launched in the 4th quarter this year, expanding the stick portfolio. Two to five variants have been launched in each country‒tailored towards consumer taste preference.

Wang Seop Lim, Chief of NGP Business Division at KT&G stated “‘lil’ was able to quickly expand internationally thanks to ‘lil’s innovative technology in addition to PMI’s commercial resources and infrastructure. We will continue to provide high quality products to consumers outside Korea through strategic collaboration with PMI going forward.”