Sika Incorporates Existing Products in New Safety Mask Production to Combat COVID-19
The masks incorporate polyester-based protective layers used in roof waterproofing membranes, as well as silicone-based sealants.
Sika recently announced that it has begun production of respiratory masks at its Les Salles du Gardon facility in southern France. In addition to hand sanitizer, which has been manufactured at over 15 Sika subsidiaries since March 2020, safety masks are now being produced for employees, customers, and other interested parties. Nearly 50,000 masks have already been produced, and orders have been placed for over 165,000 more. Production capacity stands at around 15,000 masks per day.
Sika reports that the respiratory masks are made almost entirely from the company’s products. The masks incorporate polyester-based protective layers normally inserted between the base and membrane in roof waterproofing, as well as silicone-based sealants used for glazing and jointing in construction facilities. The technologies reportedly have been tested and approved by the French authorities for compliance with hygiene regulations in the battle against COVID-19.
“We find ourselves in an exceptional situation that confronts us with new challenges on an almost daily basis, especially in those countries worst hit by coronavirus,” said Ivo Schädler, Sika’s EMEA regional manager. “Our top priority is to protect our employees, their families, and our customers—which also includes finding unconventional ways of helping them. As a specialty chemicals company, we are using our high-performance products to manufacture the masks and thus endeavoring, in tandem with our employees and customers, to make a contribution to combating Covid-19.”
Sika has manufactured over 35,000 liters of hand sanitizer at 15 subsidiaries worldwide. Given the shortages and delays in procurement, the company was granted the relevant approval after consultation with local authorities. In addition to Sika employees, hand sanitizer has also been supplied to various hospitals, blood donor centers, retirement homes, and care facilities that contacted Sika due to bottlenecks.
For more information, visit www.sika.com.
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