Key material behind the shortage of N95 masks
. And they say 'If I'm going to wear a face mask, I want the best damn face mask money can buy'," Rousse said.
That demand can draw away from other uses for melt blown material, including some safety and medical products, according to Brad Kalil, INDA's Director of Market Intelligence and Economic Insights.
"Prior to the outbreak, only about a third of the melt blown production was actually going to filtration," Kalil said. "Some of it goes to wipes, some of it to sorbents, which are the absorbent materials for oil booms or shop floors that soak up water and oil. Some of it goes to transportation in the acoustic material of a car, and some of it goes to medical surgical wound care."
But the industry has changed as rapidly as American society in the past few weeks. Many in the melt blown industry are among those considered essential and cleared to report to work each day. An engineer for SWM who asked not to be named said, "It's been a grind, and the grind is not pretty," but said he and his team realize they're playing a role in a larger struggle.
"These are uncertain times. We know this is a priority product, and there's pride in that," the engineer said.
Trump facing scrutiny over ouster of government watchdogs
