For its sustainable filters with wood-based impregnation, MANN-FILTER has been awarded the "PARTSLIFE Environmental Award 2025." In the category "Circular Economy," the brand impressed with a resource-saving concept that uses the renewable raw material lignin as an alternative to fossil impregnation agents. The award ceremony took place on June 17 at the Prototyp Automuseum in Hamburg.
“This award means a lot to us. It shows that our commitment to more sustainability in filtration is being recognized and appreciated. The use of environmentally friendly materials such as renewable raw materials is not a trend for us but a matter of the heart,” said Marian Anton, Business Development Manager at MANN+HUMMEL.
The use of
lignin, a natural component of wood, enables the development of more environmentally friendly filter elements. This innovation contributes to reducing the ecological footprint of standardly used products and supports the implementation of circular economy principles. The award honors MANN-FILTER's commitment to sustainable material solutions in the automotive aftermarket.
Prize money will be donated to the German Forest Protection Association
The prize money associated with the environmental award, amounting to 3,000 euros, will be made available by MANN-FILTER to the German Forest Protection Association. The association, active since 1947, is committed nationwide to the preservation and care of forests and engages in environmental education and reforestation projects.
The development of the new filter
technology was carried out in collaboration with long-term partner Gessner. The company developed an innovative filter medium with lignin-based resin saturation. Compared to conventional materials with fossil resins, the new medium boasts an improved Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) — according to Gessner, without any compromise in filtration performance or mechanical properties.
Filter medium based on lignin
The basis of the new filter medium is cellulose, which is impregnated with an environmentally friendly resin based on lignin. This resin saturation not only reduces the carbon footprint but also formaldehyde emissions during the curing process. Additionally, according to the manufacturer, the material can be equipped with flame retardants that meet the highest safety standards
while preserving the product's ecological balance.
The lignin itself comes from sustainable sources: it is a by-product in the industrial processing of wood into paper or biofuels. By selecting suppliers, it is ensured that no additional wood is felled — the quantities used come exclusively from existing industrial processes.
Partslife: Service provider in the automotive aftermarket
Partslife, the organizer of the award, is a service company specializing in sustainability and environmental management for the automotive aftermarket. It supports businesses, among other things, in complying with legal environmental requirements, in energy management, and in developing resource-saving processes. The annually awarded environmental prize highlights special achievements in environmental and climate protection within the industry.
