A Catalan company manufactures the first 100% biodegradable FFP2 masks. The design, similar to traditional face masks and with a filtration efficiency greater than 94%, is pending European certification.
The ecological footprint that the pandemic is leaving is one of the most obvious consequences of the health crisis that we are experiencing. According to a study published by the journal ‘ Environmental Science & Technology ‘, more than 129,000 million masks are discarded monthly.
For this reason, the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), in collaboration with the Catalan company Palens , has developed the first completely biodegradable FFP2, which will be manufactured in Vilassar de Mar (Maresme).
Similar in design to traditional masks and with a filtration efficiency greater than 94% , these environmentally friendly masks are still being evaluated for European certification, but are expected to hit the market before summer .
Save tons of waste
The new FFP2 masks are an evolution of the Proveil masks designed by the CSIC and marketed since last summer . Made with naturally derived nanofibers, these masks offered greater breathability and efficiency. They also achieved a biodegradable modality – Proveil Biomask – which, despite offering a compostable filter, retained the traditional rubber drawstring.
Now, with this new PPE model, the CSIC has wanted to solve this problem by creating rubber bands composed of materials derived from corn, which is why these FFP2s become the first completely biodegradable masks. around the world.
CSIC and Bionicia masks: FFP2 manufactured in Spain with nanofibers of proveil that provide better fit, effectiveness and a longer use.
With a shelf life of 48 hours and for an approximate price of 2 euros , these biodegradable masks will be available on the Proveil website as soon as they pass the European Union exams to obtain the CPA-FFP2 qualification.
While traditional masks use polyprene -a filtering material imported from China that works by electric charges-, nanofiber masks offer mechanical filtration that allows them not to be affected by humidity , as happens with other face masks that we find in the market. The nanofiber makes them more efficient and longer lasting masks .
Its manufacture with natural raw materials will allow its easy recycling and degradation, so that tons of plastic waste that is already being generated in the pandemic could be saved . Its filter made of nanofibers offers greater efficiency against aerosols, but also represents a new advance in the search for environmental sustainability.
