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Coronavirus: the state accelerates the production of masks and gel

2020-03-30T18:15:54.849Z


The State has taken full advantage of the lever which must make it possible to provide the necessary protections for caregivers and employees. French companies


Masks are the nerve of war. And the fight is getting faster! As the Covid-19 epidemic enters a critical phase, the State is trying by all means to increase the production of protective masks and hydroalcoholic gels, which are particularly lacking, in hospitals and nursing homes in the first place.

In recent hours, "the multiplication of volumes (of production) is very high, assured this Monday Agnès Pannier-Runacher, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance. There is a mobilization of all French companies, whatever their size and their status. The objective is clear: the "massification of production".

More FFP2 and surgical masks

As a priority, FFP2 and so-called “surgical” masks, intended for health professionals and caregivers. Today, four French companies are running at full speed in France, at the rate of 15 million masks produced per month. "We help them get the raw material because the supply is complex," said the Secretary of State. And the State has already ordered additional machines.

VIDEO. "It's a joke": the anger of a doctor after receiving moldy masks

In April, these three-color companies should be able to produce 40 million masks per month, the production necessary for caregivers for ... a week! Insufficient to ensure the proper functioning of hospitals. This is why the government also uses imports of FFP2 masks, notably from China, from where a cargo plane must deliver 10 million medical masks. A circular is also underway to harmonize European standards with other countries, and thus allow more massive imports. Finally, to increase its sources of supply, the Ministry of the Economy ensures that it works with 150 private buyers.

80 validated prototypes

But in recent weeks, Bercy and the Ministry of Health have also increased contacts to produce so-called “alternative” protective masks. They meet less draconian standards but remain able to protect professionals and second-line employees: cashiers and hosts, law enforcement, transporters ... In recent weeks, 179 companies have applied for 272 prototypes of masks. Agrès Pannier-Runacher said on Monday that the State finally validated 80 prototypes offered by 45 companies: “These masks respond to a precise design and are produced in an approved material. […] A mask must be filtering. It is not a question of making one with a piece of fabric found in a sewing box. "

According to the Secretary of State, 480,000 “alternative” protective masks will be produced in France daily. "Half will be category 1 masks, for people directly in contact with the public such as cashiers, prison guards or teachers who keep the children of nursing staff. And the other half of category 2 masks, manufactured to protect individuals who work in groups but do not necessarily have direct contact ", as in a construction company, said Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

Freezing demand multiplied by eleven

By the end of April, production capacities should increase further, while the manufacturers selected by the government orient themselves as much as possible towards washable and reusable masks up to five times. Tests are even underway for reusable masks around twenty times.

For hydroalcoholic gels, again, production has been "massively increased in the past three weeks," according to the Secretary of State. It must be said that in 2019, average consumption was around 48,000 liters per day, compared to 550,000 liters today!

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VIDEO. A Paris pharmacy manufactures 10,000 liters of hydroalcoholic gel per day

To meet a demand multiplied by eleven, Bercy has secured, as a matter of urgency, the supply of raw material: alcohol. The French sugar giant, Tereos, quickly announced that five of its distilleries would produce hydroalcoholic gel. Pernod Ricard has made its stocks of pure alcohol available. "Currently, we have enough industrial containers and we are working to find more small bottles," says Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

To obtain these gels, healthcare professionals and companies can get in touch with manufacturers thanks to a platform supported by Bercy. 293 customers have already ordered 205,000 liters of hydroalcoholic gel. The site should ultimately identify other health products, such as masks or gowns for caregivers.

Source: leparis

All business articles on 2020-03-30

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