The new solutions include pivoting the existing manufacturing assets and developing alternative materials for face masks
Berry Global new initiatives to increase production of face mask materials. (Credit: Juraj Varga from Pixabay.)
Berry Global Group, a manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products, has announced new initiatives to address the global supply shortage of face mask materials.
As part of the initiatives, the firm will appoint additional capacity to produce the face mask materials in North America as well as to introduce a new material for face masks in Europe.
Berry’s product development team has committed delivering the latest solutions, which include pivoting the existing manufacturing assets and creating alternative materials for face masks, in weeks to support the increasing demand.
The firm has expanded its Meltex platform to add melt-blown capacity in Waynesboro, Virginia, to address the increasing demand for face mask material in the US.
The capacity will manufacture the melt-blown materials which will be used while manufacturing surgical-grade face masks along with N95 and N99 respirators.
Berry health, hygiene, and specialities EVP & GM for Europe Cedric Ballay said: “Given the array of materials currently being offered to the market, we are proud to offer an alternative solution to the traditional charged meltblown.
“We are now continuing to push on with the development to be able to pass BFE Type I and Type II testing with this media.”
The firm has Waynesboro facility as well as many other North American nonwovens manufacturing facilities that are quickly producing materials which will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Berry launches Synergex ONE
The plastic packaging firm has launched Synergex ONE, which is an extension to its Synergex range of products
Synergex ONE, a new media for face mask applications, is developed to initially meet the new face mask categories for the general population.
The new material, which will be manufactured in Europe, will also provide a multilayer nonwoven composite product in a single sheet, as an alternative to traditional face mask layer structures.
In March this year, Berry Global Group has announced plans to expand its production capacity of ultra-high performance (UHP) machine and hand stretch films in North American locations.