Materials News
PPEs: biodegradable/nonplastic alternatives sought To contain the “other epidemic” of plastic materials, PPEs made of non-plastic and alternative materials are being developed as counter measures to the environmental impact of PPEs being discarded and littering the environment, says Angelica Buan in this report. Demand overtakes supply At fir st glance, it is merely a piece of a moisture repellent cloth with strings. The use of medical masks, commonly made of non-woven fabrics made f r o m p l a s t i c s l i k e P P, t o r e p e l , f i l t e r a n d p r o t e c t u s e r s , wa s m o s t l y c o n f i n e d t o h o s p i t a l s e tt i n g s d u r i n g t h e p r e - C ov i d - 19 e r a . B u t w h e n t h e n e w coronavirus pandemic broke out, demand for masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) spiked tremendously causing demand to outpace supply and PPEs becoming priceless commodities. I n f a c t , t h e U S Fo o d a n d D ru g Ad m i n i s t ra t i o n ( F DA ) a n d t h e Wo rl d H e a l t h O rga n i s a t i o n ( W H O ) acknowledged the limited access of PPEs, with supply d e f i c i t s p r e a d i n g g l o b a l l y. I n e a r l y M a r ch , W H O sought for an increase in manufacturing by 40% to meet rising global demand. It had estimated that 89 million medical masks/month were required to meet the Covid-19 response. The situation has exposed the vulnerability of the PPE supply chain during the course of the pandemic.
An estimated 89 million medical masks/month were required for the Covid-19 response
The Pandemic Supply Chain Network (PSCN), a public-private collaboration formed by WHO and the WeForum aims at addressing supply security, as well as access to PPEs. In the earlier months into the pandemic, PPEs, specifically disposable face masks, had been advised by the WHO to be limited for use for medical and healthcare frontliners and essential workers to a u g m e n t t h e s u p p l y. B u t c o n t a i n m e n t m e a s u r e s
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around the world have eventually been readjusted as infection spread continues unabated in several countries globally. Scarcity breeds opportunities In the Philippines, where the number of morbidity and mortality cases from coronavirus infections is increasing, PPE use, specifically masks and face shields, has become mandatory, especially in public p l a c e s a n d t r a n s p o rt a t i o n . D e s p i t e t h e i n f l o w o f monetary and PPE donations from foreign countries, s u p p l y s e c u r i t y r e m a i n s a h i t ch i n t h e c o u n t r y ’s pandemic response. The Philippine Plastics Industry Association (PPIA), the country’s association of plastic fabricators with members engaged in moulding, extrusion, weaving, lamination and recycling, has taken up the challenge to produce the materials for PPEs locally to close the supply chain gap; and deli ver PPEs to front liner s rapidly. PPIA President Vicente Co and National Solid Waste Management Commissioner Crispian Lao said that localisation (of manufacturing) not only generates the much needed jobs, but also buffers the country against the impact of supply shortage. The locally produced non-woven PP materials can be made into disposable protective coveralls for healthcare workers as well as essential workers. The Philippine Plastics Industry Association along with Prima Plastic and ExxonMobil Chemical developed an alternative material using a PE-based solution for locally manufactured PPEs