Uhde designs and builds plants for tobacco expansion according to the INCOM process (inert gas compression) which is owned by Reemtsma. The process increases the filling power of tobacco by approx. 60 %. While retaining the full aroma, it is possible to achieve a substantial drop in the noxious nicotine and condensate substances. The medium for this process is nitrogen, a non-toxic, tasteless gas.

In the high pressure autoclave, the finely cut tobacco is impregnated with nitrogen at around 800 bar and is then depressurised as quickly as possible. The quick depressurisation process is responsible for the extreme cooling of the tobacco and thus prevents the nitrogen from escaping from the tobacco fibre. In the subsequent process stage, the nitrogen is expelled using steam. This heat treatment causes a sudden expansion, thus increasing the tobacco volume.

With 78 % by volume, nitrogen (an odourless, non-toxic and tasteless gas) is the major constituent of our air. This gas guarantees that the natural characteristics are retained without any chemical changes to the tobacco. For the manufacturer, this high pressure process permits trouble-free cigarette production even with high-speed machines and a high filling ratio of the cigarette while saving tobacco at the same time.