SP-BERNER TO MANUFACTURE AND DONATE MORE THAN 50,000 MASKS PER MONTH AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS IN SPAIN

• The Valencian company will produce two types of masks, one disposable for toilets in accordance with the sector’s regulations. It will also manufacture a second model that is 100% recyclable, washable, sterilizable and reusable based on interchangeable filters, extending its useful life and guaranteeing the protection of the person. Sp-Berner, the leading national and Southern European company in the manufacture of plastic products for the home, will manufacture and donate masks to collaborate in the biggest health crisis facing our country against COVID-19.

The Valencian company answered the call for solidarity and quickly organized an internal work group. More than 50 professionals from all areas of the company (innovation, engineering, design, R+D, moulding, automation, materials, packaging and production) are collaborating in this group to design and manufacture the moulds that will allow them to make almost 50,000 masks a month in less than two weeks.

But to reach this development Sp-Berner has not been alone, it has counted on the collaboration with technology centres such as the Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia (IBV), which has provided the anatomical design on which the mask’s facial ergonomics are based. The ITENE technology centre, the Ministry of Health and the Miguel Hernández Foundation have also contributed to this project to collaborate in the battle against COVID-19.

Jorge Escarpa, Sp-Berner’s General Business Director, comments that “In the fight against the coronavirus there are more words than deeds. We must fight the pandemic together” and adds “it is in these difficult times that the best we have inside us comes out, both as individuals and as organizations”.

The first batch of masks to be donated to the competent authorities is expected to come out on 15 April. Subsequently, they will be distributed throughout Spain and – once internal demand has been covered – production will be extended to the rest of Europe and also to the rest of the world, as the virus we are facing has no frontiers.

With this initiative, the company reinforces its commitment to society and business by manufacturing products that improve people’s quality of life and, in this case, can help save lives.

Sp-Berner, which has just turned 56 years old and has more than 1,000 employees, invests 20 million euros a year in R&D, thus making it unique in Europe and transforming more than 50,000 tons a year by injection, thermoforming and extrusion. In addition, it recycles more than 30,000 tons of plastic per year. The goal is to reach 40,000 tons of recycled plastic next year, and before 2025 recycle more plastic than it transforms, thus cleaning the planet of plastics and having a negative impact on CO2.