CRESTVIEW - A new US firm is to begin production of melt blown polypropylene, the critical filter medium used in medical grade facemasks and gowns.
American Elite Personal Protective Equipment (American Elite PPE), a subsidiary of cable ties manufacturer American Elite Molding, is investing in a new production line at its site in Florida, which is expected to be up and running in early September 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that the supply of materials used to make personal protective equipment comes primarily from offshore manufacturers, and the risks of that have become apparent as widespread delays, shortages, and quality issues have occurred.
American Elite PPE will manufacture meltblown filter material using polypropylene sourced from U.S. manufacturers. the company is currently taking orders for deliveries of the meltblown filter material, in bulk and custom cut rolls, beginning in September of this year. "No longer will China control the supply of this vitally important material,” said American Elite Molding Founder and CEO Robert Sires. “We are proud to be an American manufacturer that produces more than 1.5 billion cable ties in the United States utilizing American-made raw material and supplies. We have proven ourselves to be highly competitive with manufacturers in China and other offshore locations.
"Now, through our new company American Elite PPE, we will provide American-made products for the personal protective equipment that our front line healthcare providers, first responders, and citizens are so dependent upon. Our production lines are staffed by Americans who are committed to manufacturing the highest quality filter material. We manufacture to tight specifications so our customers can trust that they are getting the protection they need. We believe that during this crisis, it’s vital for the U.S. to secure a reliable, sustainable source of PPE material supply for critical healthcare needs, and for Americans to buy from U.S. businesses to support our economy and our workers. This new initiative delivers on both counts.”
