Tobacco

Fontem Expands Blu Flavors

Agreement with e-liquid maker begins new options for vaping device

CHARLOTTE, N.C., and GREENVILLE, N.C., -- Fontem Ventures, which owns the blu e-vapor brand, has expanded its flavor portfolio after reaching an agreement with Purilum, a manufacturer of e-liquid concentrates for vaping.

Under the agreement, Purilum LLC, Greenville, N.C., will deliver a range of flavor concentrates to the blu brand, as well as provide finished e-liquids for myblu, a starter kit that includes a device and closed-system, flavored pods.

The new collaboration announced June 4 allows blu and Charlotte, N.C.-based Fontem access to Purilum e-liquids that have been available since 2016 and tested through Purilum’s internal research and development process.

“We know that flavors are central to the vaping experience, and our consumers are requesting more variety,” said Antoine Blonde, U.S. general manager for Fontem Ventures. “Purilum is widely respected not only for the quality and variety of its flavor range, but also the unique science-based approach it brings to the process, delivering complete transparency and integrity across the supply chain.”

According to a joint press release, Purilum develops its flavors at the molecular level using ingredients that are individually selected and tested. The company’s manufacturing facility in Greenville, N.C., includes multiple “ISO 8” class, clean-room environments; segregated nicotine and non-nicotine mixing rooms; and bottle, cartomizer, pod filling and product assembly services. Every ingredient is individually reviewed by the lab for compliance with quality standards, the company said, pointing out that the process offers traceability from the retail level to manufacturing, down to the individual raw materials that have gone into every product.

Fontem Ventures, a subsidiary of Imperial Brands PLC, Bristol, United Kingdom, is the owner of the blu e-cigarette brand. With its U.S. headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., Fontem’s purpose is to drive electronic-vaping technology forward, the company said. The blu brand of e-cigarettes was launched in 2009.

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