Insider Spotlight
The DIET plant at JTI-AMC’s manufacturing facility in LIMA Estate in Malvar accounts for approximately P1.9 billion, or $34 million, of the company’s latest investment.
It introduces a tobacco-processing technology designed to expand tobacco and improve how the raw material is prepared and used in manufacturing.
Main manufacturing hub
The Batangas factory becomes the first JTI manufacturing site in Southeast Asia equipped with DIET technology, adding a new capability to a facility that already functions as the tobacco company’s main manufacturing hub for Asia. JTI also operates DIET facilities in Bangladesh and Japan.
The technology is intended to support greater consistency and efficiency in tobacco processing. Its deployment in Batangas builds on the factory’s existing manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise, with the site producing for the Philippine market while exporting to 22 markets worldwide.
“Our Batangas facility has built the manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise needed to support advanced technologies like DIET,” JTI-AMC factory lead Philippines Amir Vajdi said in a press statement.
“That strong foundation made Batangas a natural location for JTI’s first DIET plant in Southeast Asia and allows us to continue advancing our manufacturing capabilities in the Philippines,” Vajdi added.
Oguz Kose, regional supply chain vice president for South Asia, said in his speech that the DIET plant brings a previously overseas processing capability to Batangas, which improves operational efficiency.
He said it also strengthens JTI’s global manufacturing chain and reinforces the Philippines’ strategic role in its global network.
"It's proof that the Philippines can support advanced manufacturing technologies and play an increasingly important role in global marketing. It strengthens all JTI's capabilities and the Philippines' position within our manufacturing network," Kose added.
Strengthening domestic sourcing
Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Tereso O. Panga said that since registering in 2013, JTI has invested more than P17 million in the country and created over 1,000 jobs within economic zones.
"This facility represents a meaningful contribution to the continued development of the local tobacco industry. By strengthening domestic sourcing and expanding production capabilities, JTI helps create greater economic opportunities across the value chain from farmers and tobacco-growing communities to processors, logistics providers, and other supporting industries," Panga said in his speech.
Controlled Atmosphere treatment facility
The DIET project forms the bulk of JTI-AMC additional P2.1-billion, or $37-million, investment in advanced technologies at the Batangas factory.
The company also spent more than P177 million to expand its Controlled Atmosphere (CA) treatment facility.
Operational since July 2026, the expanded CA facility doubled its previous treatment capacity. It is designed to preserve tobacco quality and integrity before production and give the factory greater flexibility in managing manufacturing requirements.
Together, the DIET and CA investments strengthen different stages of the Batangas operation, ranging from raw-material treatment and preservation to tobacco processing.
Construction of the DIET facility, which is about 2,006 square meters, also recorded 645,000 safe man-hours. —Vanessa Hidalgo |Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
