Development of a cellulosic filter material for the industrial production of protective masks in rapid response to COVID-19

Google translate: The current COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented shortage of protective equipment including procedural (surgical) masks and N95 type masks. These masks are necessary for the protection of hospital staff on the front line, but will also be necessary for the entire population during progressive deconfinement. The use of protective masks by the entire population will further increase the pressure on their availability. Initiatives are being taken across Canada to make masks, but the supply of effective and certified filter material is a problem. These filter membranes are mainly composed of synthetic and imported fibers. The objective of this project is to develop 2 types of cellulosic filter materials by mobilizing the expertise and the large local production capacity of the paper industry. Filter shells for the manufacture of N95 masks will be molded and thermoformed on the pilot cellulosic fiber thermoforming machine. In parallel, a filter paper will be formed on Innofibre's pilot paper machine to replace the synthetic membranes used in the manufacture of procedure masks.]