#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles
Milestone in the Bavarian Mask Association: FFP2 certification for masks made from Sandler nonwovens
Since the beginning of the cooperation the founding members of the Bavarian Mask Network - PIA Automation (automation specialist from Amberg), Sandler Group (manufacturer of high-tech nonwovens from Schwarzenbach/Saale) and Zettl Group (leader in the field of automotive interiors) had been working towards producing in their own country certified FFP2 masks, which can protect the wearer himself from infection, in addition to mouth-nose protection masks.
On December 3, the certificate was ceremoniously handed over at the Zettl Group's company site in Weng, Landshut County, by Jörg-Timm Kilisch, Managing Director of DEKRA Testing and Certification GmbH. Hubert Aiwanger, Deputy Minister President and Minister of Economic Affairs of the Free State of Bavaria, and Thorsten Glauber, Bavarian State Minister for the Environment and Consumer Protection, were also on site in person. The Bavarian Ministry of Consumer Protection has a special role to play in the course of the pandemic, as it is home to the Central Office of the Federal States for Safety Technology (Zentralstelle der Länder für Sicherheitstechnik, ZLS) under its umbrella and is thus responsible, among other things, for the approval of safety equipment such as protective masks across the federal states. Both ministers expressed their congratulations and appreciation to the attending managing directors and board members of the founding members, as well as representatives of the new association partners Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Bayern Innovativ GmbH.
FFP2 or FFP3 masks are particularly recommended as personal protective equipment for healthcare workers who are exposed to an increased risk of infection in the course of their work. The quality of the filter medium used, the mask design, the fit and the available filter surface are decisive for the classification of the product. As a result of joint development work and close cooperation with the new association member DEKRA, the certification process was successfully completed at the end of October.
Up to 6 million of the "Futurus" masks will now come off the production line per month on the fully automated manufacturing facilities in Weng. An expansion of production capacity to up to 10 million masks per month is already being planned.
The Bavarian Mask Association is thus expanding its contribution to securing the supply of these important medical products.
