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 (degree of substitution) 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.