Over the past few months, Zyn, the nicotine pouch brand by Philip Morris International, has been experiencing a countrywide scarcity. Philip Morris has pledged to replenish the national supply by the year’s end. Now, as part of that supply restoration strategy, a new production plant is in the works.
As the “Zynpocalypse” continues, the company is allocating $600 million for a new factory to manufacture the nicotine pouches. Situated in Aurora, Colorado, the production facility will commence operations by the end of 2025 and start regular Zyn production in 2026.
WHAT ARE ZYNS?
Zyns are flavored nicotine pouches that users can place inside their cheek. Their compact size makes Zyns very inconspicuous, subtly infusing nicotine into the bloodstream from their position between the gum and upper lip. They are available in various flavors, such as mint and coffee, as well as two nicotine levels in the US: 3mg and 6mg.
Suggested as an alternative to cigarettes or vaping, there are few long-term studies on the safety of Zyn. According to the University Health Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the pouches can have side effects including irritation of the gum, a sore mouth, hiccups, and even nausea. And, like all nicotine products, Zyn can cause addiction.
Zyn usage has surged in recent years, largely due to a group of TikTok “zynfluencers.” Online creators shared the buzz Zyn provided them, leading the nicotine product to widespread adoption with mainly young audiences. Meanwhile, cigarette usage is declining, and the vape market is encountering fierce competition from China. Zyn might just be the next frontier of American nicotine.
Of course, Zyn isn’t the only nicotine pouch on the market. Competing brands On!, Rogue, and Velo, as well as inexpensive international alternatives, have been increasing their market share despite the Zyn shortage. Nevertheless, Zyn continues to be a recognized name in the industry.
WHY IS THERE A ZYN SHORTAGE?
Responding to a steep rise in demand over the past year, Philip Morris has been unable to produce the required amount of product at their single Owensboro, Kentucky, factory.
The product has been available since 2014; the single factory was sufficient to meet demand before the “Zynfluencer” surge. However, with a sudden increase in demand and restricted manufacturing capacity, Philip Morris was unable to produce at the level demanded by its consumers.
The resulting shortage has been given lots of fun names online: the “Apocalypse,” the “Zyndemic,” or even “the Great Depression.” TikTok users couldn’t national wasteland of Zyns, begging Philip Morris to create more products, which the company is attempting to do with the new plant.
The resulting shortage has been given lots of fun names online: the “Apocalypse,” the “Zyndemic,” or even “the Great Depression.” TikTok users couldn’t national wasteland of Zyns, begging Philip Morris to create more products, which the company is attempting to do with the new plant.
