in a process for manufacturing degradable cigarette filters wherein adhesive is applied to at least one longitudinal edge of the plug wrap paper , a bond is made while the adhesive is molten and the resultant bond is held in compression for sufficient time to prevent bond movement , the improvement which comprises , using as the adhesive , from about 20 to 60 % by weight of an intermediate or high ds starch ester having from about 2 to 18 carbon atoms in the ester component and a ds of from about 0 . 3 to 2 . 5 , 5 to 40 % by weight of a polar wax , 5 to 50 % by weight of a plasticizing diluent , 0 to 25 % by weight of a compatible tackifier and 0 to 3 % by weight of an antioxidant .