The Canada-based Novolex brand Polar Pak is set to produce more than two million medical face shields for Health Canada and other potential customers to help them in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The shields are expected to fulfil the demand for more than four million face shields in the next two months.
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They will be distributed to frontline healthcare workers in the country. The rapid shield development involved a review of several design concepts.
For the mask, the company used visor components from plastic sheeting that are produced on the Polar Pak campus. The moulds for the headgear were made using the company’s tool and die technology.
Polar Pak product development director Samir Parikh said: “Everyone at the Novolex Polar Pak facility is tremendously proud to be contributing to our country’s response to Covid-19.
“Converting our technology and know-how to help meet this enormous public health need has provided a tremendous source of satisfaction for all of us.”
In addition, to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE), Novolex has been converting certified food-grade packaging lines at more than seven locations in North America, including Polar Pak’s Brampton location that employs more than 800 people.
Until now, the company has launched Covid-19 face shields and (ASTM) Level 1, 2 and 3 isolation gowns.
It expects to turn addition lines for PPE production soon and ship six million gowns and two million face shields a month. The company said that the capacity will remain available for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic in North America.
Novolex innovation senior vice-president Adrianne Tipton said: “It has been absolutely amazing to see our engineering, manufacturing and marketing team develop, trial and launch new products in a matter of weeks. These are processes that can take months or years but have been achieved in a much shorter timeframe.”
