COLUMBUS – Cummins has reached an agreement with 3M to manufacture high efficiency particulate filters for use in 3M PAPRs (powered air purifying respirators).
As reported earlier on Nonwovens News, Cummins’ NanoNet and NanoForce filter media employ DuPont’s Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) and are usually employed in air, fuel and oil filtration products used in heavy-duty diesel engines to prevent long-term engine wear. They can, however, be used in the N95 respirator masks.
PAPRs use a battery-powered blower that sends filtered air into a hood or head top that covers the wearer’s head or face and can provide increased levels of respiratory protection, especially for critical healthcare situations such as aerosol generating procedures. PAPRs may also be more comfortable to wear for those who need respiratory protection for long periods of time.
The partnership has the potential to more than double the current production of filters for 3M’s PAPR and are needed as 3M has ramped up production.
“Cummins has been striving to find ways to help during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Tom Linebarger, chairman and chief executive officer of Cummins. “Working with 3M, we discovered our technologies and manufacturing expertise could be relevant as we partner in new ways to help protect healthcare professionals.”
Cummins will use existing manpower and equipment at its Neillsville, Wisconsin facility to pleat the media, assemble it into cartridge housings and do final testing before shipping the filters to Valley, Nebraska, where 3M’s PAPRs are manufactured. Production of the filters at Cummins’ Neillsville location is expected to begin by the end of April.
www.cummins.com/always-on
