Go better. Go yellow. 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 a new product innovation made from renewable raw materials and with well-known OE quality, MANN-FILTER, as a technology leader, is taking a big step forward. This next-generation environmentally improved filter enhances the sustainability of existing vehicles, especially those with combustion engines, 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.
The EcoVadis “Gold” rating proves our strong, established and clear sustainability path at MANN+HUMMEL.
EcoVadis is a globally recognized assessment platform that rates businesses' sustainability based on four key categories: environmental impact, labor, and human rights standards, ethics, and procurement practices. MANN+HUMMEL is among the top 5% of the 100,000 evaluated companies.
Sustainability is nothing new for MANN-FILTER. We have already achieved a lot. Just to mention the use of recycled material from plastic bottles in our MANN-FILTER air filter C 24 005, for example.
Check out our related press article.
But we are continuing our journey – now by improving products specifically designed with sustainability in mind.
Filtration of the future - inspired by nature.
With our latest 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 property 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.
Everything stays even better.
The filter media with lignin impregnation differs very little in its appearance. In comparison to the previous version it is slightly brownish and has a pleasant natural odor.
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 this next-gen filters, meet the strictest requirements of the automotive industry!
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. Gradually, we will convert more and more filters to impregnation with lignin. The next-gen products can be recognized by the green leaf pictogram on the packaging - only valid for products made in Germany.
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.
