Renault has acquired a mask production line to be based at its Flins plant in France and capable of manufacturing up to 1.5m surgical masks per week.
The Group intends to implement a long-term solution to secure its supplies, cope with the risks of shortages, delays and price inflation and help to reduce strong demand pressure.
This decision was taken in consultation with doctors and the Group’s HSE (Hygiene, Health, Environment) department, in line with the health standards deployed locally.
The manufacturing line automatically performs an ultrasonic weld, passing through various operations: unwinding of non-woven fabrics, cutting and positioning of the nose bridge, welding and cutting, turning the mask over, removal and welding of the elastics.
A camera control allows the production to be checked, guaranteeing a high level of quality. All machines and materials used for manufacturing will be of French or European origin.
Around 20 employees will be trained in June by the manufacturer of the production unit to be assigned to the mask manufacturing area. The line will comply with the Group’s safety standards and the masks produced will be certified in accordance with current standards.
The project calls for the construction of a 1,000 m2 building on the site of the Renault plant in Flins to house the production line and associated logistics areas.
The products will then be sent to, and centralised on, the Renault site in Saint André de l’Eure (Sofrastock) in France, before being distributed between various French and European establishments.
