24 October 2023-Greenbutts and Filtrona today announce a partnership to manufacture biodegradable filters for tobacco companies in the U.S., demonstrating a shared commitment to meet growing demand for sustainable plastic-free filters.
Under the joint development agreement (JDA), Filtrona will lease a manufacturing machine from Greenbutts to produce biodegradable filters using proprietary technology. The partnership supports the strategy of both companies to drive the industry’s transformation by providing alternative sustainable filter solutions to traditional cellulose acetate (CA) filters.
Greenbutts, with its consumer-centric and breakthrough innovation hub, joins Filtrona with its 90-year expertise in delivering innovative filter solutions. The collaboration provides a strategic platform to effectively, and quickly, address the environmental impact of single-use plastic filters with quality solutions on a global scale. Working together, Greenbutts and Filtrona can meet consumer demand, support industry ESG commitments, and meet rigorous regulatory compliance requirements.
Tadas Lisauskas, CEO of Greenbutts, said, “In response to the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on our planet, there is an urgent need to address the number one most littered item globally. Greenbutts has pioneered proprietary technology and advanced material science to bring a novel, performance-driven plastic alternative to the tobacco industry.
“Our certified biodegradable technology offers a new alternative to single-use plastic filters, providing a pathway for the industry to embrace environmental sustainability without compromising performance or consumer experience. By partnering with Filtrona, a company committed to driving positive change within the industry, this joint endeavour is set to transform the way cigarettes are manufactured, with post-consumer waste and our planet front of mind.”
Filtrona is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of plastic-free and bio-degradable filters, and pioneered market-leading sustainable filter solutions to support the transition of tobacco companies to green products. Today, the company has a global footprint with 11 manufacturing facilities across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, together with three innovation centres supplying more than 120 countries.
Robert Pye, CEO of Filtrona, said, “We recognise that our customers are increasingly seeking sustainable products and we are on a journey with them to support this transformation alongside Greenbutts with our advanced filter technology and portfolio of renewable, degradable and sustainable filters that can meet their product and regulatory needs.”
“Today, Filtrona alone cannot meet the volume requirements in terms of sustainable filter conversion. We believe that by collaborating with other suppliers who share our environmental goals, we can meet the growing demand for sustainable products more rapidly. This joint development with Greenbutts is the first of many such collaborations which we will embark on to help drive the industry forward,” said Pye.
“We believe that true impact can be achieved through strategic collaboration, and that’s why we are partnering with Filtrona,” said Lisauskas. “Our dedicated innovation hub is committed to fostering new technology, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, propelling the industry towards a more sustainable future.
For more information on Filtrona, please visit Filtrona.com
