In 2026, technology routes in the vaping industry are diverging rapidly. Ceramic thick-film atomization, metal mesh heating, tubular atomization, metal foam—multiple new atomization technologies are developing in parallel. But the ones that have truly achieved scale in the market mainly fall into two camps: ceramic thick-film atomization centered on ceramic cores, and high-efficiency heating architectures represented by metal mesh. Each has its advocates and its own technical trade-offs.

The Ceramic Core Route: Mature, But Not the Endpoint

Ceramic-core e-cigarettes use a porous ceramic atomizing core as the primary heating carrier. The ceramic's capillary action draws in e-liquid, and the heating element uniformly heats and atomizes it. This offers precise temperature control, dry-burn resistance, leak-lock protection, and long service life. Ceramic thick-film atomization uses the abundant micropores in the ceramic body to uniformly infiltrate e-liquid into the heating zone via surface tension and capillary action. It offers high temperature resistance, a large heating area, and uniform temperature distribution, making it a hot topic in atomization R&D. In 2024, China's ceramic-core e-cigarette market reached RMB 73.88 billion, evolving from a compliance "must-have" to a technology "preferred choice."

But ceramic cores are not without limitations. There is an inherent contradiction between the thermal conductivity and infiltration speed of the ceramic matrix—too fast heat transfer leads to dry burns, while too slow infiltration reduces atomization efficiency. Existing porous ceramic bodies suffer from low thermal conductivity and slow heat transfer, resulting in uneven atomization and inconsistent taste. Optimization around ceramic cores has never stopped: adjusting porosity, improving sintering processes, optimizing heating element layout—these remain key areas of industry focus.

The Mesh Heating Route: Performance Leap, But High Barriers

The other route is represented by metal mesh heating technology. Mesh-core heating significantly improves taste and atomization efficiency, but the structural complexity and consistency control of mesh heating wires are major challenges in mass production. Different resistance values, materials, and wiring combinations must ensure both heating uniformity and differentiated output for multiple flavors—placing higher demands on manufacturing precision and materials engineering.

On the surface, the two routes appear to be a materials battle of "ceramic versus metal." But the deeper question is: how do you improve atomization efficiency while ensuring consistency and stability of taste? This brings in a dimension often overlooked by hardware manufacturers—the atomizing medium itself.

Boton's Entry Point: Starting from Materials Science

Boton's atomization technology path differs from both routes. Its differentiation lies not in which heating element structure it chooses, but in rethinking the material design logic of the atomizing core from its foundational capabilities in flavors and fragrances.

Boton holds numerous core patents in e-liquid formulation, atomizing core technology, and temperature control systems. But what deserves more attention is its underlying innovation at the atomizing core material level. Boton's self-developed porous ceramic matrix, prepared by combining particle stacking and pore-forming agent methods, achieves suitable thermal conductivity and infiltration speed. This effectively addresses dry burns and leakage, improves atomization efficiency, and reduces ramp-up time. Boton has also developed a heating ceramic body structure that introduces micropores into the heating wire, increasing the contact surface area between e-liquid and the heating wire. This enlarges the effective atomization area, improves thermal balance, and greatly reduces the "flooding" phenomenon.

What these technical solutions share is that they are not mere hardware design optimizations—they redefine the performance boundaries of the atomizing core at the materials science level. Boton's flavor and fragrance foundation gives it a far deeper understanding of how atomizing media behave under different temperatures and core materials than pure hardware manufacturers. While the industry is still debating "ceramic or metal," Boton has already offered another solution at the level of material formulation and structural design.

This foundational capability extends to even more advanced technological directions. Boton Group unveiled its ultrasonic atomizer at an industry exhibition, with atomization temperature controllable at 80°C. Its primary applications lie in ultrasonic atomization for health and wellness—such as electronic tea, herbal e-liquids, functional supplement packs, and medical aesthetics. This technology route is fundamentally different from conventional heating atomization, representing another layer of Boton's forward-looking layout in atomization technology.

Full-Supply-Chain Capability: The Invisible Support for Technology Routes

Boton's ability to simultaneously pursue multiple technology routes—ceramic core material modification and ultrasonic atomization—stems from its full-supply-chain capability. The group has 10 high-tech subsidiaries, a CNAS-accredited laboratory, R&D staff accounting for over 65% of employees, and has accumulated thousands of patents domestically and internationally, with invention patents making up over 70%. Vertical integration across tobacco flavors, e-liquids, and device manufacturing allows Boton's atomizing core R&D to directly connect with downstream e-liquid formulations and terminal device design requirements, forming a closed-loop technology validation and iteration system.

Looking at its 2026 global exhibition rhythm, Boton is exporting this technological capability to global markets. At the TPE show in March, Boton highlighted its latest HNB research achievements and bio-based natural flavor extraction processes. At InterTabac in September, Boton completed over 100 professional meetings around bead shell technology, particle release systems, and customized flavor solutions.

From November 10 to 12, 2026, the World Vape Show Dubai will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Boton will exhibit at Booth 2240, where a 109-square-meter gold-themed booth will present a full-supply-chain matrix covering tobacco odor enhancers, flavor beads, novel nicotine products, e-cigarette devices, and premium e-liquids. For Middle East customers evaluating atomization technology routes and supply chain partners, Booth 2240 offers an opportunity to closely examine Boton's complete technology logic from materials science to terminal products. Boton: Built on Trust. In 2026, as atomization technology routes become increasingly diverse, trust may ultimately rest on whether your partner possesses a complete technology chain from materials to finished products—and the ability to keep iterating.