The market for protective masks is empty. Hospitals, surgeries, care services and other important health sectors are looking for protective equipment with medical approval. Private individuals are also looking to contain the spread of the pandemic by using appropriate masks. Many governments are now recommending or prescribing the wearing of face masks for their citizens as an important measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

In response to this challenge, Odlo set up the internal task force "COVID19-Action". The task force had to investigate how the production facility in Portugal could be converted to the development and manufacture of suitable protective masks as quickly as possible.

And as of now, the production and delivery of protective masks has started in Portugal. These face masks meet the requirements of Directive EZ/2017/745. Although certification is still pending due to the urgent and short-term implementation of the project, the masks have been successfully tested in accordance with DIN EN 14683 and meet the required criteria.

In the transition from the production of sportswear to protective face masks, Odlo's long-standing and highly trained specialists can use their extensive experience with breathable fabric materials to immediately implement the manufacturing requirements of protective face masks on a large scale.

The quick-drying masks are made of polyester with a fleece insert of polyamide/polyester: materials with which Odlo has years of experience. They have an antibacterial finish, are OEKO-TEX-certified free of harmful substances, can be washed up to 50 times at 60 °C and reliably kill viruses.

Medical facilities, hospitals and care homes are now supplied directly by Odlo. The German Odlo branch in Brüggen in North Rhine-Westphalia, close to the border with the Netherlands, is already reporting lively interest from large clinics in the country. Private individuals can order suitable "community masks" from the beginning of May via the online shop

CEO Knut Are Høgberg, comments on the launch of the new product line as follows: "Sustainability and social responsibility have been at the heart of our corporate culture since the company was founded 70 years ago. As a quality-conscious Swiss company with a long family tradition, it is particularly important for us to run our business according to these principles. We take our social and environmental responsibility seriously, and in the midst of a pandemic, switching our production facilities to the manufacture of face masks is simply the responsible thing to do to help flatten the curve."

www.odlo.com