As the COVID-19 pandemic expanded earlier this year, there was an overwhelming demand for PPE to protect the brave workers battling on the front lines. To meet the growing need for critical protection and supplies for PPE, DuPont launched the #TyvekTogether program to partner with additional converters to increase the supply of Tyvek garments to the marketplace.
In parallel, Ansell launched the #NetworkofHeroes program, offering support to non-PPE manufacturers with the capacities and necessary equipment, to produce coveralls or gowns for use against infective agents, such as COVID-19. And as Ansell was working - like DuPont - to facilitate the manufacturing of PPE but also maximize their own production across their portfolio to meet the huge increase in demand, they were facing a shortage of material for their gown production.
existing converter network
The commitment to safety and responding to the needs for protection for the frontline workers came first and DuPont and Ansell aligned to work together to help increase the availability of isolation gowns for the COVID-19 response for the North America market.
“It’s vital we come together as an industry to help the front-line heroes get the PPE that they need to stay protected. We had maximized our production of PPE through our existing converter network, and we believed that working with other companies to convert their PPE production to Tyvek would be the fastest way to protect more people. We began producing a new style of Tyvek fabric, Tyvek 1222A, to help support the needs for additional Tyvek PPE, but we needed additional partners with converting capacity”, says David Domnisch, Global Business Leader of DuPont Personal Protection.
soaring demand for PPE
As a safety company, we are committed to protecting our communities and frontline workers"
Through this collaboration, Ansell will be producing 600 000 isolation gowns made of Tyvek fabric. The gowns are supplied to front line workers via Henry Schein, a leading U.S. distributor to healthcare providers in the U.S.
“As a safety company, we are committed to protecting our communities and frontline workers. We knew we could not meet the soaring demand for PPE alone. So, we naturally decided to combine our respective know-how in the unique AlphaTec gown with Tyvek fabric and protect North America frontline workers fighting COVID-19,” Paul Bryce, Ansell Chemical Solutions SBU VP & GM.
protective glove portfolio
Both DuPont and Ansell are committed to helping to protect those who protect others and the companies are proud to work together to make a difference and maximize the supply of PPE for the COVID-19 response. Ansell and DuPont have had a long-term relationship working together. DuPont supplies Ansell with DuPont Kevlar fiber and engineered yarns for many products in their protective glove portfolio.
DuPont also is a customer of Ansell’s as they supply cut resistant gloves for many of our DuPont facilities. They are proud to come together to solve a humanitarian challenge by combining their own unique capabilities and capacities in what is typically a competitive space.