Naturally better. Our journey to greater sustainability.
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Be a Gamechanger. With MANN-FILTER.
Sustainability is firmly anchored in the corporate philosophy of global filtration expert MANN+HUMMEL - as well as in the DNA of its premium brand MANN-FILTER. As a leading brand in the automotive aftermarket and being available in nearly 200 countries, MANN-FILTER enjoys the highest workshop loyalty in key European markets. *
From this position of strength and responsibility, MANN-FILTER increasingly focuses on the use of resource-conserving, renewable, and innovative materials for more and more products, and leverages its many years of expertise to drive forward the development of new and advanced technologies - for both vehicle manufacturers and the spare parts market.
With new product innovations based on renewable raw materials or advanced recycling processes, combined with well-known OE quality, MANN-FILTER, as a technology leader, is taking a big step forward. Our next-generation environmentally improved filters enhance the sustainability of existing vehicles, while maintaining the exceptional reliability and performance that dealers, workshops, and drivers trust - without compromise.
Go better. Go yellow. Go MANN-FILTER.
* Based on customer insights & brand research conducted in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland with over 1,200 workshops.
Much achieved. Much to do.
We are pleased to see that our efforts to drive and accelerate the transition toward greater sustainability are also being recognized externally. We are convinced a strong commitment to advancing a more sustainable industry through innovative and forward-looking technologies, really makes the difference. We will continue our efforts to consistently improve and become even better.
Filtration of the future: Everything stays even better.
MANN-FILTER is renowned for its high product quality and outstanding service. Our next-generation product approach goes even further: to reduce the environmental impact, we are progressively introducing advanced features across selected products.
And the best thing is: you don't have to make a choice between different product lines. We are converting our products automatically - without you having to do anything. Sustainability made simple!
The outstanding quality and performance of the products in original equipment quality remains the same. Because all our products, including the next-gen filters, meet the strictest requirements of the automotive industry!
Recycled coconut-based activated carbon
The groundbreaking FreciousPlus cabin air filters now feature yet another innovation: recycled coconut-based activated carbon. A multi-stage recycling process recovers previously unused material from production residues into an equivalent raw material. This allows us to reduce the carbon footprint compared to virgin activated carbon and repurpose waste through recycling – without compromising on performance, quality, and service life! And because we are gradually transitioning our series products, sustainability is easy for workshops and customers alike.
A novel recycling process, developed over several years, now makes it possible for the first time to reuse valuable activated carbon from previously unused production offcuts while maintaining the same high quality. This activated carbon is recovered, processed, and reused in complex industrial recycling processes. It helps conserve resources and reduce the need for virgin raw materials. As a result, MANN-FILTER is setting a new standard in the industry.
The highest quality activated carbon is traditionally derived from the shells of mature coconuts. Selected FreciousPlus cabin air filters are now manufactured in series with a mixture of new and recycled activated carbon. Compared to virgin activated carbon, this saves emissions – both during production and through transport from tropical cultivation areas to Central Europe, where the filters are produced. This reduces the CO2 footprint of the activated carbon by up to 17% compared to virgin activated carbon. Further, the need for coconut shells as raw material is reduced by approx. 20%.*
* The environmental improvement is externally verified and validated by ClimatePartner and refers to the comparison with the previous product version without the use of recycled activated carbon.
Lignin impregnated filter media
With this innovation, we are taking a big step towards emission-neutral mobility: Next-gen wood-based impregnation with lignin.
Until now, filters with cellulose media have been provided with a special impregnation made from fossil-based resin, which ensures stability, rigidity and chemical resistance. We are partially replacing this crude oil-based impregnation with the plant-based raw material “lignin”, a natural product that originates from wood. Lignin is responsible for the stability of wood and can also provide this characteristic in filter media. The technology is initially being used in selected filters.
Lignin is produced in large quantities as a by-product in pulp and paper production - around 50 million tons annually worldwide. The material used for our lignin coated filter products comes from trustworthy and certified sources.
The filter media with lignin impregnation differs very little in its appearance. In comparison to the previous version, it is slightly brownish with no compromise in quality.
As a result, MANN-FILTER is reducing the CO2 footprint of affected lignin impregnation by up to 5% and the use of crude oil by approximately 27% compared to regular phenolic impregnation.
The calculation of the CO₂ values and the calculation method for determining the crude oil savings have been externally verified and validated by ClimatePartner. ClimatePartner is a German organization that supports companies calculating, reducing and offsetting CO₂ emissions and offers climate neutrality labels.
Our next-gen filter range at a glance
These innovative and sustainably improved filters are now available in the independent aftermarket under the MANN-FILTER premium brand for a variety of applications. The next-gen products can be recognized by the green leaf pictogram on the packaging.
Sustainable features of our packaging
The MANN-FILTER packaging offers an important approach to improving the ecological footprint. At the world's largest filter plant in Marklkofen, we use for our yellow-green box:
- At least 90% recycled cardboard
- Vegetable oil-based inks free of mineral oil
- Water-based adhesives and varnishes
Renewable energies in production
For a holistic sustainability assessment, not only the components and materials of a filter must be included in the environmental balance, but also its manufacturing process accounts for the total footprint.
Our global production plants run with 100% green electric energy based on a mix of renewable electricity tariffs, power purchase agreements (PPA) and renewable energy attribute certificates (EAC).
Outstanding global recycling rate
Our global total recycling rate for the waste generated in manufacturing processes is higher than 95%.
- Meaning that virtually all waste is thermically or materially recycled or composted.
- Improving the environmental impact by reducing or recycling of waste.
The recycling rate within our production is monitored and improved constantly.
