Everyday life without a mask has become unthinkable. Most surgical masks are flown in from Asia, but now the first official mask production site in Luxembourg has been opened.
Masks are fairly simple to produce, as they only consist of five components: an inner and outer layer, the filter in between them, the metal strip, and the straps. Hence the decision to produce them here.
Georges Heirendt, representative of the Robert Schuman foundation, explains that the peak of coronavirus infections caused struggles to obtain masks. Not only limited supplies were the issue, but transport methods were lacking, which inspired the company to produce their own.
Over 200,000 masks have already been produced in the past three weeks. The team of eight workers and one machine now produces 20,000 masks a day. Video report in Luxembourgish:
If all goes to plan, Luxembourg will no longer have to import masks from abroad. Heirendt believes that a maximum of 40 million masks can be produced yearly, which is more than enough to supply residents and cross-border workers.
Production capacities enable a renunciation of foreign production (24/7 production could be implemented) which may improve the quality, but they also have a positive environmental impact.
It is also previewed that FFP2 masks will be produced in the same factory, but these are still pending approval.
The masks will mainly be sent to hospitals, doctors, and retirement homes. Residents will be able to buy them in supermarkets and gas stations.
The project is financed by the Ministry of Middle Classes.
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