Avery Dennison partners with Global Safety First to produce PPE

Global materials science company, Avery Dennison, has partnered with manufacturer and developer, Global Safety First (GSF), to produce and distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The self-adhesive and NIOSH-Certified N95 mask will aim to protect both healthcare workers and patients. The ReadiMask is made with electrostatic particle filtration properties to make it more breathable, as well as utilising a double-coated skin-friendly adhesive to ensure the masks adhere gently to the face.

What makes the ReadiMask unique, is its ability to form an air-tight seal which provides maximum protection whilst allowing filtration during inhalation and exhalation. The mask is designed to be virtually weightless, as well as convenient and easy to use. The design does not contain any tight straps or ties that could put pressure on the face or get caught in hair, or any uncomfortable metal nose clips that could result in bruising to the skin. The ReadiMask was also designed with a very low breathing resistance and may provide a cooler temperature than other similar masks.

Kirsten Newquist, vice president and general manager, Avery Dennison Medical, commented: “Our partnership with GSF allows us to bring some much-needed safety and comfort to frontline healthcare workers who rely on N95 masks every day for protection. GSF’s unique design, along with our medical manufacturing capabilities and expertise in skin contact adhesives, is helping to bring mask innovation to the healthcare market at a time when it is sorely needed.”

John Schwind, president of GSF, added: “Healthcare providers will be required to use increased amounts of PPE for some time to come as a result of this pandemic, and it’s critical that industry responds quickly - not only with increased supply, but with products and equipment that make it easier for healthcare professionals to do their jobs.

“We are pleased to partner with Avery Dennison to meet this need.”

Once NIOSH approval is obtained, these masks will begin production at Avery Dennison’s Mentor, Ohio facility. The facility is FDA registered, ISO 13485 and MDSAP compliant, and the first shipments are anticipated in June.

These masks are not the only PPE Avery Dennison Medical is developing to help with the Covid-19 pandemic. We previously reported on the disposable plastic face shields the company was developing.