Mondi, global packaging and paper major, is set to build new production lines in its plant in Gronau, Germany, to produce melt-blown nonwoven fabric and surgical face masks. This is part of the company’s efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and respond to increased demand by health authorities, businesses, and consumers for face masks.
Mondi Gronau has a proven track record of producing and handling films, laminates, nonwovens, and elastic ear laminates for hygiene products. This knowledge will be applied to the entire value chain of face mask production, according to the company.
“We are well-positioned for the increased production of face masks and melt-blown nonwoven fabric in Gronau. Our people have the needed know-how and expertise in working with these materials and the technology required. The in-house production capability of all substantial components positions us to build up a long-term competitive local supply. Once up and running, we will be able to produce more than one million face masks per day.” said Jürgen Schneider, managing director, Mondi Personal Care Components.
The production lines will produce melt-blown nonwoven fabric and surgical masks. Given the shortage of melt-blown fabric in the market place, Mondi´s plant in Gronau will offer approximately 50% of its production to other face mask manufacturers in Europe.
According to Mondi, the technical details are – melt-blown nonwoven fabric offers a better filtering function than cotton. The single threads of nonwoven fabric are twenty times thinner than a human hair.
