Expanding Manufacturing Capacity for the Production of PPE

To aid PPE shortage due to Covid-19 and reduce UK's reliance on imported materials, we would like to develop a new PPE product and new manufacturing methods, expand our UK manufacturing capability, and redirect part of our resources and assets to:

1. Producing 100% recyclable polymer sheet materials, suitable for production of various types of PPE, including protective face shields. This capability will reduce our and other UK PPE manufacturers' reliance on imported materials.
2. Producing innovative face shields optimised for high-volume production out of sheet materials, low cost, user comfort, and high contamination resistance.

Extension for impact will include:

By listening to our customer feedback, we think we can introduce further efficiencies and increase product’s marketability by:
• Improving product packaging process and the packaging itself,
• Introducing a faceshield option with a foam because this appears to be a preference for NHS procurement teams,
• Offering further faceshield customisation options, such as custom printing.

We also found it very difficult to convince NHS or other public institutions to place orders directly with us, instead of pre-existing, mixed-category suppliers, even if ordering from us is more economical. Therefore, as the next step we are considering three-pronged awareness campaign:
• Contacting major wholesalers the NHS and other public bodies use to see if we can become their suppliers.
• Contacting healthcare businesses directly.
• Increasing PPE faceshields’ visibility online.