GRONAU - Packaging and paper specialist Mondi has started up its new production lines at its plant in Gronau, Germany, to produce meltblown nonwoven fabric and up to one million surgical face masks per day.
The investment in the new machines was announced in May 2020 in the months following the initial outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. With all the critical components manufactured on site, the fully automated high-speed machines will now enable the company to produce up 700 masks per minute which is said to be approximately seven times higher than the standard face mask production line.
With the new lines, Mondi, which has over 50 years of experience in the production and processing of films, nonwovens and elastic components for hygiene products, says it is building up a local value chain in Germany to address the needs of the pandemic.
“We identified the shortage in meltblown nonwoven fabric in Germany early on in the pandemic last year and reacted swiftly to set up the production of high-quality medical face masks," said Jürgen Schneider, Managing Director Mondi Gronau. "With our high-speed production set-up and certifications in place, Mondi Gronau is ideally positioned to supply high-quality medical masks that offer reliable protection and high comfort from the moment they are put on to when they are taken off."
The masks are certified as a medical product by the German Johner Institute as well as meeting the German standards OEKO-TEX and Dermatest. With this production, Mondi Gronau will be directly addressing the needs of the German health sector including hospitals, pharmacies and specialised medical retailers.
