Ahlstrom-Munksjö Expands the Production of Face Mask Materials to its Plant in Italy and Tampere Plant in Finland
Ahlstrom-Munksjö increases capacity across its entire protective medical fabrics product portfolio to support the healthcare industry. It is also expanding the manufacturing of fabric production lines normally used for producing other fiber-based materials and providing support with its in-depth knowledge of fiber-based solutions.
In the beginning of March, the company expanded the production of face mask materials to a fine fiber line normally used for industrial filtration materials at the Turin plant, Italy.
The technology is unique, generating good protection and breathability for medical use, and approved as a surgical mask. The advantage of this technology compared to the commonly available electrostatically charged material is its durability. The protection efficiency of electrostatically charged materials is lost over time when the humidity gets in contact with the filter media, whereas the protection efficiency of a mechanical filter media remains intact over time.
First orders were received in the middle of March, and Ahlstrom-Munksjö is now targeting to ramp up fabric production for more than 20 million face masks per month.
In April, Ahlstrom-Munksjö is expanding the production of face mask materials to a line normally used for industrial filtration materials at the Tampere plant in Finland. Currently, the material is well suited for lighter fabric face masks in civil activities. Droplets test shows that the media has efficiency above 90 percent at 3 microns and above 85 percent at 1 micron, which is close to a surgical face mask requirement. Development continues to meet the requirements of material for surgical masks for medical use. Considering the ongoing production, the Tampere plant can deliver fabrics for around 10 million face masks per month on short notice.
