The coronavirus epidemic is on the rise again and the specter of a general obligation to wear a mask as during confinement resurfaces. In short, the end of the mask is not for tomorrow. In such a context, can we imagine the abandonment of disposable or fabric models in favor of more sophisticated protections? This is the bet made by the Breton autoentrepreneur Guillaume Turbec. In April, he launched Neeobreath, a reusable mask that is a hit with professionals and individuals.
The idea was born at the start of confinement. Guillaume Turbec, product designer in the scientific and diving fields, imagines a reusable mask complete with filters to be changed periodically. “In the panic, we forgot our ecological convictions. We had to find an alternative to all disposable, ”he explains. Composed of a neoprene headband (fabric for diving suits), the Neeobreath is more comfortable and waterproof than a disposable or fabric mask. “It's very practical for professionals who need to wear the mask all day,” explains Guillaume Turbec. Two types of filters are selected: the Hygiafelt biocide pair equivalent to a surgical mask which is reusable 30 times and the FFP3 filters to be changed every 4 hours.
The production capacity will increase to 500 per day
To start production, the autoentrepreneur is running a participatory campaign on the Kengo online platform. At the beginning of June, 14,000 euros are collected and the first masks leave the workshop based in Quessoy (Côtes-d'Armor). “Everything is made in Brittany and the materials come from Europe. I wanted to design something virtuous, ”he insists. The website is launched and the prices set at 49 euros for the mask (standard model), 12 euros for the reusable Hygiafelt biocidal filters and 50 euros for the 50 FFP3 filters.
Very quickly, sales explode: “My phone keeps ringing for new orders. Every day I sell twice as many masks as the day before, ”smiles Guillaume Turbec, who has just crossed the 3,000 mark but refuses to give his turnover. Orders come from individuals, companies and even communities. The business manager has no more time for himself, he spends 17 hours a day, 7 days a week in his workshop to fulfill his orders. To help him with the task, he plans to hire two people within a few weeks. "I will be able to increase my production capacity to 500 masks per day," he smiles.
