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FFP2 masks from the Lenzing-Palmers Hygiene Austria joint venture are flying off supermarket shelves in rows, at least for the moment, because chains Spar, Rewe, Hofer and dm want to check the origin of the masks. Hygiene Austria’s guarantees are apparently no longer enough for them. Not surprisingly, according to the Federal Office for Metrology and Topography, Hygiene Austria’s FFP2 masks weren’t even certified in Austria. The European CE mark 2233 indicates Hungary.
If production in Austria cannot be proven, the masks will likely be returned at least in part. If the wrong appellation of origin turns out to be a fact, retailers can sue for misleading advertising, request a price reduction, or return the products. Consumers would have to go to the retailer they bought from.
Already 50 interrogations
The Business and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has already carried out around 50 interrogations in this matter, “the investigations are in full swing.” Otherwise, no new details of the investigation were announced yesterday.
Upper Austrian fiber maker Lenzing is now trying to quickly clarify itself after the scandal was discovered, the ON reported. Although a Lenzing manager (Stephan Trubrich) is already Managing Director at Hygiene Austria alongside Palmers man Tino Wieser, Lenzing yesterday appointed a third Managing Director – CTO Stephan Sielaff takes on this delicate additional task. Spicy: At Lenzings Investor Relations, Trubrich is responsible for sustainability and social responsibility, above all else.
As a reminder: Hygiene Austria introduced itself as an Austrian producer from the beginning and was applauded by the Federal Chancellor. The company has already admitted to ordering masks from a contracted manufacturer “to offset a peak in demand” that were seized during house searches. Lenzing claims he knew nothing, but did deploy an external reconnaissance force. “Now we are going to quickly get in with forensics and work it out cleanly,” a Lenzing spokesman told ON news. It was not possible to say yesterday how many masks came from China in what time period.
Lenzing’s majority owner, B&C Industrieholding, reportedly reacted anything but pleased to the incidents. There was no official statement.
Lenzing shares even more burdened
After a five percent drop on Wednesday, Lenzing’s stock fell about two percent on Thursday. One analyst, who does not want to be named, said in an interview with ON Nachrichten that the mask scandal did “enormous damage”, especially for a company that pays as much attention to sustainability and social correctness as Lenzing. In recent months, the action has been driven precisely by this path of sustainability, the average analyst target of 110 euros is currently exceeded around 114 euros.
If there is anything to the allegations, “it certainly won’t be forgotten in two weeks,” the analyst said.
Article of
Ulrike rubasch
Economics editor
