The filtration expert Mann+Hummel has come up with innovative solutions for clean mobility through its Mann-Filter premium brand, aimed at the independent automotive spare parts market. This also provides sustainable filters and packaging, manufactured using resource-saving methods. Synthetic filter media is being produced in Spun-bonded fabric plant.
The world’s only spun-bonded fabric plant is being used to produce synthetic filter media for Mann-Filter at its site in Marklkofen, Bavaria. The combination of spun-bonded fabric production processes and integrated furnaces for thermally bonding the non-woven material is new compared to previously applied processes such as melt blowing. The new production method enables annual process energy savings of up to 70 per cent compared with current production techniques. This amounts to a carbon dioxide reduction of more than 4,000 tonnes per year.
In addition to spun-bonded fabric plant, a recycling plant has also been built where edge trim and rolls of defective material resulting from production are reprocessed into granulate and reused in the process. As a result, the facility is nearly waste-free and highly sustainable.
Mann-Filter air filters made from recycled plastics make another significant contribution towards the conservation of resources. One square metre of C 24 005 filter medium contains recycled plastic from about two 1.5-litre PET bottles. Moreover, thanks to its high dirt-holding capacity the air filter only requires 30 per cent of the filter media surface area of traditional air filters with cellulose media. Further air filters using the innovative medium are currently in development and will be available soon.
The global filtration expert also places an emphasis on sustainability with its Mann-Filter packaging. Each green-yellow box consists of about 80 per cent to 95 per cent recycled fibres. For the European market, more than 4,800 filter elements are available for over 48,000 vehicles and machines, including more than 12,000 cars and transporters, more than 9,100 lorries and buses, nearly 1,000 motorcycles and 25,500 applications in off-highway vehicles and industry.
By using environmentally friendly filter media in its air filters, Mann+Hummel has already been committed to sustainable forestry for many years. In addition to complying with technical specifications, the company strives to operate in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. For this reason, Mann+Hummel has had its production site in Zaragoza certified pursuant to the guidelines of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) so that it can manufacture products that contain wood from certified sources.
By using modern lighting (LED) and intelligent lighting control, switching compressors and other measures, Mann+Hummel was able to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by around 3,300 tonnes in 2018. All these measures aim to continually reduce the carbon dioxide footprint of Mann+Hummel and all aspects of the value chain and to ensure that natural resources are used responsibly.
