Masken-Verbund-Bayern: Joint Fight Against the Virus

Introduction of the Masken-Verbund-Bayern.

Visit of the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger, to PIA Automation Amberg.

With a cooperation between the companies PIA Automation (Amberg), Sandler AG (Schwarzenbach), and Zettl Group (Weng), the "Masken-Verbund-Bayern" has started the production of disposable respiratory masks. The alliance aims to produce a six-figure number of masks daily within a few weeks. "The Corona crisis has shown that we need domestic production of certain protective goods for crisis preparedness. Bavarian companies like PIA, Zettl, and Sandler have responded flexibly in this difficult situation and have built a new supply chain with innovative technology in record time," explained Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Hubert Aiwanger.

During a visit by the Minister of Economic Affairs to PIA Automation in Amberg, the Masken-Verbund-Bayern was introduced.

The cooperation aims to establish a complete value chain for respiratory masks in Bavaria. Before the Corona pandemic, there were no manufacturers of disposable masks in Germany. The Masken-Verbund-Bayern has set itself the goal of taking a leading role among the now newly established disposable mask manufacturers in Germany.

The Upper Palatinate company PIA Automation has recently been building systems that produce masks fully automatically. "Automation is essential for cost-effective domestic production of protective masks," explained PIA Managing Director Armin Schalk.

Dr. Ulrich Hornfeck, Board Member of Sandler AG, emphasized the commitment of all involved: "Our thanks go to the dedicated Sandler team, our cooperation partners, and our state politicians." Sandler produces the nonwoven fabric for the disposable masks.

As Reinhard Zettl, Managing Director of Zettl Group, announced, the Masken-Verbund will develop further solutions for respiratory masks in the coming years: "Our goal is to re-establish domestic manufacturing in the market." The automotive supplier Zettl has recently shifted part of its production to the manufacture of respiratory masks. For this purpose, it will increasingly use the machines from PIA Automation.