Cummins recently reached a cooperation agreement with 3M to provide high-efficiency particulate filters for 3M's Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs).
Electric air purifying respirator is an important protective equipment for frontline medical staff when faced with the new coronavirus. This device uses battery power to deliver purified air to the wearer's face mask, especially in a medical environment that is prone to aerogel infection and improves protection. Moreover, for people who need to wear protective masks for a long time, electric air purifying respirators are also more comfortable.
The cooperation between the two parties will help 3M increase the production capacity of the existing electric air purifying respirator by more than twice. After the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, the demand for personal protective equipment surged, and 3M Company urgently needed more filtration products to increase the capacity of electric air purifying respirators.
Cummins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tom Linebarger said: "Always, Cummins has done everything we can to continue to explore and contribute to the fight against the epidemic. Cooperation with 3M in new fields allows us to use our technology and manufacturing Expertise in the field to provide support and protection for medical personnel. "
Cummins will use its equipment and labor at its Nielsville, Wisconsin facility to pleated the filter material, assemble it into the filter, and conduct final inspection. The tested filters will be shipped to 3M's Nebraska production base for the production of electric air-purifying breathing protectors. The Cummins plant in Nielsville is expected to begin production of this filter at the end of April.
Mike Roman, Chairman and CEO of 3M, said: "3M is running at full capacity and 7x24 continuous production to provide personal protective equipment such as electric air-purifying respirators and other personal protective equipment for medical and emergency personnel struggling to fight the epidemic. The cooperation will help us increase our production capacity and produce more critical protective equipment in the coming months. "
