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Project receives $300K from feds to create face mask prototype from pulp [UPDATED]

A prototype for a mask made from wood pulp will be manufactured in Ontario after the project received $300,000 in funding from the federal government.

Pulp Moulded Products (PMP) in Newmarket, Ontario, which develops products made from Canadian pulp, will receive support from Kruger Inc. on the project.

The project will see PMP create a prototype for low-cost, non-surgical, disposable masks for civilians and industrial workers.

The masks will be made from KruPulp, Kruger’s FDA-compliant and FSC-certified pulp.

KruPulp products are composed of either recycled or virgin fibres that are sourced locally and responsibly. The fibres are converted into pulp through an optimized, energy efficient process, in a facility that relies on renewable power, including hydroelectricity and biomass steam plants.

The mask production and supply chain will also be 100 per cent in Canada, eliminating dependency on imports for the production of non-medical masks.

“Through this project, we hope to achieve a reliable local supply of inexpensive, highly effective antiviral, green masks that will help in the continuing efforts to protect Canadians through this difficult time,” says Gord Heyting, CEO of Pulp Moulded Products, in a statement.

“Kruger is very proud to contribute to the collective effort against COVID-19 by helping PMP bring to market this innovative product entirely sourced in Canada and made from a renewable resource,” says Maxime Cossette, vice-president of global sustainability and biomaterials, Kruger Inc.

Funding for this project is provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Industry Transformation program, which encourages the Canadian forest sector to adopt and implement unique technologies and processes to produce new forest products for emerging markets.

This article was originally published on Jul. 31, 2020 and was updated on Aug. 10.