Backhaus: Automotive component supplier sets up production line for face masks

KB Backhaus GmbH, a German specialist in the manufacture of plastic components for automotive industry, has expanded its production within a very short time to include series production of face masks. An innovative four-cavity tool with a special mould has been developed for this purpose, which enables a production capacity of 12,500 face masks per day.

To perfectly adapt its new respiratory mask to each user’s face shape, Backhaus has selected the Tefabloc TOFI210 TPE, with a hardness of 55 Shore A, supplied by Mitsubishi Chemicals Performance Polymers Division (MCPP). In addition to a wide choice of hardness, which ranges from 35 Shore A to 45 Shore D, this Tefabloc series has many other advantages which make it a versatile material, particularly for the production of parts which have permanent contact with human skin or food. The series is approved for food contact applications in line with EU 10/2011 and FDA CFR 21 regulations. It also meets the toy safety requirements of European Directive 2009/48 / EC.

The four-cavity tool enables a production capacity of 12,500 face masks per day. (Source: Backhaus)

At the moment, trials are also being conducted to treat the material with antibacterial additives. The community masks have already obtained a PPE special approval and are currently in the process of being certified with FFP2 protection class (CE 731943). In contrast to the traditional one-way or pure cotton cloth masks, the community masks of Backhaus can be used for almost an unlimited period of time. For the necessary filtering of the breathing air from droplets and aerosols, the wearer just places a cotton pad or a suitably cut piece of cotton material in the opening provided for it in the mouth area and fixes it using the supplied clamp ring. The mask can be cleaned quickly and easily using a disinfectant material, with soap and hot water or in the dish washer.

This product is the result of a close collaboration between Backhaus and MCPP’s long-time distributor in Germany, Chemie Plast Vertriebs GmbH.

www.kb-backhaus.de