Global materials science expert Milliken is leveraging its unique capabilities to produce needed medical personal protective equipment (PPE) in the Covid-19 pandemic. The current shortage in plastic materials used for protective face shields is leading manufacturers to offer readily available polypropylene plastic. The material, however, is naturally hazy, so plastic manufacturers are turning to Milliken, and the company’s NX UltraClear polypropylene concentrate on producing plastics with clarity levels suitable for the healthcare industry face shields.
“In this global pandemic, the need for medical PPE continues to rise,” says Halsey M Cook, president and chief executive officer of Milliken. “We are committed to finding solutions that assist our customers and allow us to join in the fight against Covid-19 wherever we can make a difference.”
Milliken has collaborated with several plastic manufacturers, from global players to regionally-based companies, to evaluate NX UltraClear in this new product application. Impact Plastics is among the US companies using NX UltraClear concentrates on making polypropylene clear for use in face shields. Mezger in Germany is also employing NX UltraClear concentrates on producing polypropylene sheets suitable for use in face shields.
Medical face shields made with NX UltraClear polypropylene are now in the market and being used by front-line workers.
