Ahlstrom-Munksjö joins “Résilience”, a national mobilization initiative introduced by the French Government to increase the production of protective face masks
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is taking another step forward in its contribution to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company recently joined the Résilience initiative promoted by the French government. The projects consists in a national coalition bringing together textile converters, companies for social integration, adapted companies for workers in situation of handicap to manufacture non sanitary facemasks in a sustainable and socially responsible way.
Over the year, this initiative will allow the production of over 100 million face masks for use by professionals in contact with the public (associations, firemen, police, social workers, teachers etc.) as well as communities and companies active in essential sectors like food, water and waste management.
Beyond the urgency, the Résilience project is part of a long-term vision aimed at ensuring the promotion of a new model of industrial textile production, which is more local, collaborative, ecological and sustainable.
The project was introduced by Thibaut Guilluy, High Commissioner for Employment Inclusion and Business Engagement, with the support of the Minister of Labor, Muriel Pénicaud, the Secretary of State for Persons with Disabilities, Sophie Cluzel, and the Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
"Ahlstrom-Munksjö, based in Pont-Audemer, has made available its expertise in terms of fibers and fabrics for the development of innovative protective face masks for the French population. The company is supplying the adapted companies part of the Résilience project, which form one of the first consortium for the production of masks addressed to the general public in France. This project is emblematic of the tremendous dynamic that we have been able of starting in the fight against COVID-19” commented Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
Ahlstrom-Munksjö, is one of the main global players in sustainable and innovative fiber-based solutions and its mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for a sustainable everyday life.
Early April 2020, Reliance® SMS and Reliance® Dextex range of products, typically used as sterilization wraps for surgical instruments, have been declared compatible with the requirements of a category 1 mask type that are individual masks for use by professionals in contact with the public in accordance to the newly implemented S76-001 guidelines issued by the French Norm committee AFNOR on April 28th 2020. These products are converted at the Medical business French facility located in Pont Audemer.
This accomplishment was made possible thanks to the work of the team of Jonathan Laloum, Global Product Manager SBS Medical at Ahlstrom-Munksjö, in partnership with SF2S (Société Française des Sciences de la Stérilisation), notably the highest scientific source for the sterilization industry in France, and the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French Government Defense procurement and technology agency, which conducted a series of tests confirming the performance compatibility of our Reliance® range of products.
“Being part of the Resilience initiative is something we can be very proud as a significant milestone for the company during the pandemic. On top of ensuring patient safety in hospitals worldwide when used as sterilization wraps, Reliance® products are now protecting civilians through a meaningful project for the community” says Jonathan Laloum, Global Product Manager SBS Medical business at Ahlstrom-Munksjö.
“The attainment of this long-term work for the selection of our products represents a moment of collective pride at Ahlstrom-Munksjö. The Medical Business Unit serves the medical device market worldwide all year round, but it is its agility, daring and ability to innovate that make it an ideal partner in critical situations” says Lionel Bonte, Vice President Medical business at Ahlstrom-Munksjö.
Listen to our latest podcast featuring Jonathan Laloum to hear more about the recent enhancements to our face mask product portfolio.