Supporting Cooperation for Reliable Quality Assistance

KRAIBURG TPE's high-quality thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are used in many everyday applications such as toothbrushes, razors, automotive components and others, while also becoming indispensable in many areas of systemic importance. The current coronavirus pandemic presents an increasingly significant challenge, particularly for healthcare services and social systems. Currently, the company's TPEs are being used in medical applications such as ventilators, face masks, respirators, simple valves and buttons, and elastic belts, connectors and tubes. The special THERMOLAST® M and THERMOLAST® K compounds are required here. In particular, THERMOLAST® M medical compounds are characterized by a high degree of purity, guaranteed by a fixed production process, permanently assigned production units and numerous quality assurance tests. [caption id="attachment_100999" align="aligncenter"] Modular mask system combining a reusable half mask with a replaceable filter. (Image: © 2020 BaS)[/caption]

In the current situation, KRAIBURG TPE has decided to increase production capacities for these materials and prioritize their production. It goes without saying that internal procedures have been optimized and adjusted accordingly to protect personnel. To ensure continuous raw materials and stable production capacity, inventories of the relevant raw materials have been increased. These procedures guarantee rapid delivery of the company's TPEs to meet worldwide increasing demand for a wide range of medical applications. For example, BaS Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH from Eslarnia is one of the German companies that has decided to use its production capacity in the fight against Covid-19. Instead of components for the automotive and electrical industries, the company is now producing reusable face masks / respirators for social welfare and service institutions and medical offices. Close cooperation with KRAIBURG TPE on this project has made this possible in the meantime. After BaS designed a 3D model, Rietsch GmbH Werkzeug- und Formenbau produced the mold required to manufacture the masks. Thanks to forward-looking planning, KRAIBURG TPE was able to deliver the compounds needed to produce masks immediately, so it took only a few days for the first sample to come off the production line. With a breathing apparatus filter, a total of 1,500 masks can now be produced daily. The unique feature of this mask system is its modular design, which combines a reusable half mask and a replaceable filter. The plastic mask is easy to clean - for example, in a dishwasher - and can then be reused with a new filter. "Our TF5CGN material was selected for the BaS mask. The mask is very easy to clean and has a pleasant soft surface that ensures it fits perfectly on the face," says Matthias Schmidt, Medical Sales Director at KRAIBURG TPE. "This is one of many different face mask applications recently implemented using our TPEs. What we like most about this special project is the supportive cooperation between all the companies involved. Thanks to the rapid implementation of the project, local and regional retirement homes, outpatient services and medical offices are quickly receiving masks so they can work in a protected and safe manner during the coronavirus crisis."