The plant’s main output will be the meltblown polypropylene component of surgical and respiratory masks, which acts as a filter for harmful particles.
Meltblown polyproplylene was one of the materials facing a worldwide shortage during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Given the highly strategic nature of the project, the Government of Canada has committed to investing up to C$29 million through the Strategic Innovation Fund.
“The construction of our new mask filter plant represents another important milestone in our vertical and sustainable integration strategy,” said Guillaume Laverdure, CEO of Medicom.
“Once operational, this critical component that we have mostly imported from Europe up till now will travel only 30 km from Saint-Eustache to be transformed into face and respiratory (N95) masks in Montreal. This means that Medicom will be able to offer the same protection so appreciated by our healthcare providers, but with a significantly reduced environmental impact.”
There is an innovation center attached to the plant whose main mandate is to design the next generation of greener, more sophisticated, and more efficient filters in terms of breathability and protection. Meltech will also develop products that can be used for air filtration, membrane filtration, battery separators and supercapacitors.
“Innovation will be at the heart of our work and our business model. The pioneering future of filters will be built here. We’re very excited to be developing this niche at Medicom and creating unique, value-added products with a minimal environmental footprint. We look forward to building this industry in Canada,” said Ronald Reuben, executive chairman of Medicom.
