[Edaily Reporter Kim Mi-kyung] #KT&G has been named one of the “Top 100 Global Innovative Companies” for the fourth consecutive year. As the only South Korean consumer goods company to be selected four years in a row, this recognition once again affirms its global technological competitiveness.

KT&G announced on the 19th that it had been selected on the 18th for the “Top 100 Global Innovative Companies” list compiled by LexisNexis, a global intellectual property (IP) solutions company. LexisNexis selects and announces 100 global innovative companies annually across various sectors—including IT, electronics, automotive, and consumer goods—based on global patent and corporate data.

KT&G was highly commended for strengthening the competitiveness of its next-generation product (NGP) business through systematic intellectual property management and achievements in technological innovation. As of last year, the company held a total of 16,751 intellectual property rights. Of these, 12,929 are overseas intellectual property rights. In particular, the company has focused on securing technological competitiveness by registering 2,342 new intellectual property rights in the past year alone.

Leveraging its accumulated IP competitiveness, KT&G is expanding its e-cigarette brand “lil” and its dedicated stick business. It is also accelerating the development of products incorporating proprietary technologies. The recently launched “lil Able 3.0,” featuring a shorter preheating time and fast-charging capabilities, sold out during the pre-sale phase.

Market success continues as well. Last year, NGP-exclusive sticks maintained their leading position, capturing approximately 46% of the domestic market share. With steady expansion into overseas markets, the NGP division saw year-over-year growth in revenue, operating profit, and sales volume.

A KT&G spokesperson stated, “Being selected for four consecutive years is the result of our continuous efforts to drive technological innovation and strengthen our intellectual property competitiveness,” adding, “We will continue to introduce differentiated products and services based on our proprietary technology to further solidify our technological leadership in the global market.”