Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, German machinery and plant manufacturer Reifenhäuser Reicofil (Troisdorf; www.reicofil.com), a subsidiary of Reifenhäuser (Troisdorf; www.reifenhauser.com), has temporarily converted two of its test lines to produce nonwovens for much needed protective masks, joining the ranks of other companies diverting production to medical supplies – see Plasteurope.com of 05.03.2020. The German company's lines, otherwise exclusively used for R&D and customer trials, have been operating continuously for a week now. Until further notice, the melt-blown lines will be running 24/7, with four shifts covering the work. The volume produced on a daily basis is sufficient for up to one million masks.

According to Reifenhäuser, the melt-blown material from the company's nonwoven technology centre is sold out for the next five weeks. Since the company was unable to find German or European buyers, the material will be exported to a Vietnamese manufacturer of masks. The company added that it is in close contact with associations, government bodies and other companies in an effort to find local buyers.

“We have considered what contribution we can make in this crisis,” said Reicofil CEO Bernd Kunze. “This is of course mainly the fast delivery of meltblown lines to build up additional capacities. But we also wanted to provide support at shorter notice. Until the currently lacking capacities are built up, we are therefore stepping in with the test plants in our pilot plant station. Not using this capacity now would be irresponsible in our view,” he added. Kunze assumes that a shortage of protective suits, hoods and similar gear could also occur. He added that one of the lines in the technology centre could also produce the required spun-melt-spun nonwovens on short notice.