Mann+Hummel has launched Mann-Filter FreciousPlus featuring nanofibers for cabin air filtration. The new filter is designed to effectively filter ultra-fine particles, as well as pollutants from both outside and inside the vehicle. It also offers proven protection against allergens, bacteria, and mold.

In recent years, international studies have proven the impact of the smallest particles on human health: The smaller the particles, the more dangerous they are, as they can penetrate deeper into the human respiratory system and cause serious health problems, including death.

Mann+Hummel has been successfully using nanofiber technology to filter out the finest particles for a number of years. This technology is now also available on the automotive aftermarket for premium brand Mann-Filter cabin air filters. Since January 2024, these have been available in the form of the Mann-Filter FreciousPlus FP 38 004 for the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series saloons, and now feature in the 5 Series Touring wagon, too.

“Our Mann-Filter FreciousPlus FP 38 004 has the finest nanofibers, which are about 100 times thinner than the fibers of conventional filter linings,” says Thomas Heininger, director Engineering Cabin Air Filters at Mann+Hummel. “These fibers form a spider’s web-like structure over the other filtration layers with coarser fibers, enabling them to capture ultra-fine particles. This means that, in addition to the PM10 and PM2.5 particles, the FreciousPlus featuring nanofibers can remove 90% of the even finer PM1 class i.e. particulates with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 1 micrometer (0.0001 cm). The nanofibers in the FreciousPlus filter up to 80% of ultra-fine particles (UFP) smaller than 0.1 micrometers, thus achieving maximum values. For context, these extremely small particles are about 700 times smaller than a human hair.”

The extremely thin nanofiber ensures that the FP 38 004 is resistant to humidity and temperature fluctuations and provides consistently high filtration throughout the entire service interval.

To ensure that the FreciousPlus cabin air filter with nanofibers can work reliably, it must be replaced once a year or every 15,000 kilometers. “We recommend that local experts regularly inform vehicle owners of the importance and benefits of the cabin air filter. Most car drivers are unfortunately unaware of this,” says Heininger.

In Germany, Mann+Hummel has been granted a patent for the nanofiber technology, which protects certain aspects of the filter media and the underlying production process. In addition, a patent application has already been filed for this technology in other countries.