Berry Invests in Meltblown Asset to Help Combat COVID-19
April 2, 2020
Plastic packaging and nonwoven fabrics firm Berry Global Group Inc. revealed Monday that it is making an investment in a new specialty meltblown asset that will be deployed to manufacture high-efficiency filtration media used in applications like N95 and N99 industrial respirators and face masks and cabin air filters. The new capacity will serve the EMEIA markets.
The move comes amid skyrocketing demand for medical and industrial face masks during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“As a market leader in that space, we have been planning to add more capacity shortly after our latest investment in Asia came online. The opportunity to support the fight against COVID-19 accelerated our decision,” Cedric Ballay, executive vice president and general manager for Europe in Health, Hygiene, and Specialties for Barry, said in a company release. “Our ability to be agile will benefit our customers and our communities.”
Berry is one of the world’s largest producer of nonwoven fabrics, according to the company. It also is one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of plastic packaging.
The new asset is expected to become operational by mid-2020.
Other industrial firms have also recently adjusted their operations to help manufacture products used in the fight against the virus. Honeywell is expanding production of N95 respirators at its Smithfield, RI plant. 3M said it will boost its output of N95 respirators this year to about 1.1 billion products.
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