Marco Hannappel, PMI: Europe supports the transformation of industry through investment, skills and competitive factories

Marco Hannappel, a representative of Philip Morris International (PMI), says that Europe remains a solid industrial base for the company, despite geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and pressures on manufacturing competitiveness. In an interview with NewMoney.ro about PMI’s transformation, he emphasized the role of skills, specialized suppliers, and European industrial infrastructure.

According to the data presented, 15 of PMI’s 17 factories in the European Union produce smoke-free alternatives, while annual investment in research and development has increased from 46 to 122 million euros over the past five years. An EY-Parthenon study estimates the company’s contribution to the EU economy at nearly 343 billion euros during 2021–2025. In 2025, PMI’s activities supported approximately 164,000 jobs, while the company’s European exports totaled 39.5 billion euros.

Hannappel argues that regulations must be clear, stable, and evidence-based so that they protect consumers and minors while allowing new solutions to be developed. During the same period, PMI spent 22.3 billion euros with more than 49,000 European suppliers and invested 582 million euros in tobacco cultivation.

PMI’s factory in Otopeni plays an important role in this strategy. More than 90% of its production is exported to over 50 countries, including Japan, following investments of more than 730 million dollars made since 2017. Europe currently produces 73% of the heated tobacco consumables sold globally by PMI, excluding the United States.