cant help with the problem,but it might be worth while doing some tests with different filter elements. i have had similar problems with filter elements on my waste oil burner and my generator recently. both of them had the element dissolve due to thinners in the waste oil and acetone in the generator fuel. i suspect different filters have different glues.
the one in the generator totally dissolved the plastic housing. i did have way to much acetone in the fuel though 20%. will reduce it to the 3% recommended and drop an old filter element in some fuel and see what happens.
i went for a job at a filter factory once so got to see the whole process. they use a hot melt glue to stick the pleated part to the housing.