Cellulose acetate filter tow, production thereof and use thereof as tobacco smoke filter element

摘要

Described is a filter tow of cellulose acetate filaments and/or fibres on whose surface is present an additive composed of enzymes which cleave cellulose chains, at least the surface of the filaments and fibres consisting of a cellulose acetate having an acetyl number of less than 53%, preferably less than 49%. The process for producing such a filter tow comprises spinning cellulose acetate filaments from a solution of cellulose acetate having an acetyl number of at least 53% in acetone, optionally cutting the filaments into fibres, collecting the filaments and/or fibres together into a filter tow and applying an additive, the filaments and fibres being hydrolysed and the additive applied being one composed of enzymes which cleave cellulose chains. Also described are a tobacco smoke filter element composed of such a filter tow and a process for its production. The filter tow and the tobacco smoke filter element show improved biodegradation under the action of environmental influences, but without danger of degrading in the course of storage under conditions customary today.