Countering the shortage of masks – for more safety

The EDAG Group develops the "mask4all" face mask – SOP with project partners Möller Medi-cal GmbH (Fulda) and Göttlicher GmbH & Co.KG (Schlitz)

Fulda, 16.04.2020 Current findings indicate that face masks provide more protection in the Corona crisis, and above all prevent the risk of infecting others. The supply situation for these masks is, however, currently difficult. In addition, professional protective masks need to be reserved first and foremost for people working in hospitals, medical practices and the emergency services.

Motivated by these considerations, the EDAG Group have developed "mask4all" for everyday use. Combined with standard household fabrics or the kind of medical non-woven materials that are available over the counter, the kit can be used to assemble face masks to help to contain COVID-19. The self-assembly masks are intended for commercial customers, municipal facilities and private individuals, to relieve the critical supply situation.

The "mask4all" has been specifically designed to be practical, functional and sustainable. It consists of holder elements, and between these just about any type of woven or non-woven fabric can be held in place. This saves the time-consuming job of sewing masks. The fabric can also be changed or washed regularly and quickly. The fact that it is reusable makes the "mask4all" a sustainable solution.

In order to enable not only the 15,000 employees working for EDAG, Möller Medical / Centrotec SE and Göttlicher, but also other customers to have access to "mask4all", corresponding agreements have been concluded between the companies this April. Since mid-April, the project partners have been producing large quantities of the "mask4all" in an injection moulding process, and are marketing them via their sales channels and partner companies.

"As a medical technology company based in Fulda, we are very pleased to be able to contribute to this cooperation as a production and sales partner. In view of the exceptional situation, these masks will be a part of our everyday life in the near future. Keeping sustainability in mind and being able to use the masks again and again is a huge advantage, both ecologically and economically," stressed Peter Schrempp, General Manager at Möller Medical GmbH.

"Especially in these challenging times, we want to take responsibility - for our employees and for society. The "Mask4all" won us over immediately, and we are pleased that we can bring our many years of expertise into this project, and therefore help quickly and effectively," explained Martin Göttlicher, Managing Director of Göttlicher.

With this initiative, EDAG wants to make a pragmatic contribution to overcoming the Corona crisis. For private customers, the EDAG Group has also made the 3D print data for "mask4all" available for free download on its website.

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Note: This report was published as part of Autofox Helps program and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, currently to help combat coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and Covid-19 disease.