No promises, no excuses. Just facts.
When it comes to filters, materials, and sustainability, things are quickly oversimplified. Either something is "completely plastic-free" or simply "not sustainable." There's often little room for nuance in between.
It's important to us to create precisely this space. Not to sugarcoat anything, but to explain in an understandable way how decisions are made – and why simple answers rarely tell the whole story. For us, sustainable consumption doesn't mean perfection, but informed consideration.
Materials are not an end in themselves. They fulfill functions – technical, practical, and in everyday life. Therefore, what matters is not just what is used, but how, why, and to what extent. That's precisely why our filter doesn't focus on buzzwords, but on the overall picture: material usage, function, lifespan, and open communication about it.
What this means becomes clear when you look at the filter itself.
Hybrid Supreme Filter: Material and construction in detail
Our filter is small. Really small. At 3 cm long and 6.4 mm in diameter, every detail counts.
Inside is a combination of activated carbon and plant-based fibers, a so-called fiber blend. A technical binding agent is needed to ensure that this fiber structure remains stable at this size and does not collapse.
This binder contains a very small amount of bio-based acetate . That's the only point where plastic comes into play. There's no outer layer, no coating, and no synthetic core – just a functional component that is deliberately used, measurable, and minimal.
To put this magnitude into perspective, a change of perspective is helpful.
Size comparison: Activated carbon filter vs. Lego brick
Numbers alone rarely provide a good sense of scale. Therefore, let's use an everyday analogy:
A single Lego brick contains more plastic than a Hybrid Supreme filter over its entire lifespan . Not per piece, not per unit, but considered over its entire lifespan.
This is not an advertising claim, but a simple calculation of proportions, and that is precisely what makes it so meaningful.
Bio-based acetate in the filter: What does that mean?
Just to clarify beforehand, so we're all on the same page: This is not about classic plastic made from petroleum.
The acetate used is based on plant-based raw materials and is produced from processed plant fibers . This is nothing new or experimental – this material has been used routinely in technology, medicine, and industry for decades .
Another frequently asked question:
Under suitable conditions, the material can gradually degrade because its structure is closer to natural fibers than to conventional, petroleum-based plastics.
But – and this is the crucial point – the buzzword "bio-based" alone does not make a product sensible or sustainable. What matters is how it is used .
- a very small, clearly limited amount ,
- a specific, necessary function ,
- No mass-produced or disposable material .
It is precisely at this point that the use of materials becomes a conscious decision – and not simply “a green label”.
Plastic symbol on activated carbon filters: Legal labeling requirements explained
The turtle symbol with the warning "Plastic in the filter" is not a voluntary label. It is legally required – and for good reason.
The idea behind it is simple:
You should be able to see at a glance that the filter contains plastic. No specialist knowledge, no reading required, no fine print.
Our approach to this is correspondingly uncomplicated:
We fulfill this labelling obligation clearly, visibly and without excuses .
No hiding, no relativizing, no marketing smoke and mirrors.
You shouldn't have to think about what a symbol means or why it might not be meant that way.
You should simply know.
Classification: What the symbol does not show
The symbol only indicates that plastic is present – not how much, why, or in what context. That's precisely why we provide additional information: what type of material is used, what it's used for, and why it's not a disposable, bulky material.
For us, transparency doesn't end with the symbol.
She's just getting started there.
Low-impact instead of plastic-free: Realistic filter alternatives
"Zero plastic" sounds good. But it's simply not realistic in many technical applications.
Our approach is therefore different. Not an ideal, but a careful consideration:
- as little impact as possible,
- as much function as necessary,
- Communicated as openly as possible.
The result is a filter that functions technically soundly, whose material usage is traceable, and whose ecological footprint must be considered in relation to its impact.
Activated carbon filter overall balance: filter performance and material impact
Yes, the Hybrid Supreme filter contains a microscopically small amount of plastic. That's the truth – as is the context in which this material is used.
The plastic is part of a structure made of fibers and fabric. This combination is not accidental, but functional: the structure ensures a more stable filter matrix that not only retains its shape but also actively contributes to the filter's performance. This design helps to retain pollutants more effectively than many conventional filters.
At the same time, this offers practical advantages in everyday use: The filter remains functional even in cold weather, doesn't clog or become dirty in winter , and allows the smoke to pass through in a more controlled manner. This noticeably cools the smoke without impairing the draft. Another advantage: The robust construction prevents activated carbon dust from escaping – up to 99% of the dust is retained instead of being inhaled.
In short: Yes, it contains plastic. But it's part of a targeted design that ensures more pollutants are filtered, fewer particles are passed on , and more consistent smoking conditions are achieved.
Our label doesn't ignore this plastic – it categorizes it.
Not emotional, not sugarcoating, but functional and comprehensible.
Conclusion: Conscious consumption
Ultimately, it's not about ideals, but about practical solutions.
Ultimately, the overall picture counts: higher filter performance, a stable filter in everyday use, fewer unwanted particles, and open communication about what's in it – and why.
Turn consciously. Consume consciously.
No bullshit.
Sources & scientific references
Wikipedia – Cellulose-acetate. Wikipedia
German Federal Environment Agency. Federal Environment Agency
sensXPERT – Materials Science. sensXPERT
Tobacco Guru – Cigarette Filter. Tobacco Guru
TU Hamburg – Research project. TU Hamburg
