For reduced-risk products* (RRPs) to fully contribute to tobacco harm reduction, it’s essential that their reduced-risk status, compared to smoking, is adequately demonstrated by robust science. We’re working to make sure this is the case through our leading scientific research programme.

When it comes to science and research, we set ourselves the highest standards, and our scientific methods are inspired by the pharmaceutical industry. We share our scientific findings publicly and encourage others to review our work.We never stand still. We are always innovating, experimenting, and delivering new Tobacco Harm Reduction solutions. This is why our Research and Development is becoming even more important to the business, accelerating its pioneering approaches to scientific innovation.

Developing new products requires not just great skill, insights, and expertise but commitment too. This commitment is particularly strong when it comes to our ability to develop effective next-generation products that can offer consumers enjoyable and less risky* alternatives to Tobacco.

Our mission to reduce tobacco harm continues to be at the core of our business. That is why our R&D teams are central to achieving our ambitions of reducing the health impact of our business. Today, we operate in a broad spectrum of scientific fields including molecular biology, toxicology, and chemistry, and it is that breadth of expertise which fuels the relentless innovation and learning that sets us apart as an industry leader. Our global R&D Hub is based in New York in the USA, supported by R&D teams based in many locations around the world. The research we conduct also includes work undertaken in collaboration with global external researchers.

We use a wide range of analytical techniques, specialised laboratory technology and expertise to test our products to ensure high standards of consumer safety and product quality.

PIPL buys nearly 60 per cent of all cigarette tobacco types grown in India. It has a team of experienced, highly skilled, and professional buyers and classifiers who source and segregate tobaccos to exacting customer specifications. A large inventory base of quality tobaccos provides an edge in serving customers through product customization, portfolio rationalization, product bundling and value-added services. This strategic direction insulates customers from crop fluctuations, a key 'winning proposition' acknowledged worldwide.

A major differentiating factor that provides us a cutting edge over our competitors in India is our focused crop development initiatives and extension services. Working closely with the farming fraternity, we have constantly transferred technology from the lab to the land with appropriate solutions, apart from pioneering the introduction of contemporary varieties. Enabled by a team of agronomists, agriculture experts, Engineers and development managers, the crop development initiative has gone a long way in improving the quality table of the Indian tobacco basket, including in the non-flue cured tobacco growth zones such as Burley, Oriental, and Non-Virginia Tobacco Types.