Lenzing and Palmers begin production of masks

Lenzing and Palmers plan to produce 12 million protective masks a month starting in May. Capacity is expected to increase to 25 million masks in the coming weeks. For this purpose, Lenzing (50.1 percent) founded the Hygiene Austria LP GmbH joint venture with a limited majority. Production and sales start in May, the target is the Austrian and European market.

The two companies said they had invested “several million euros” and secured the raw materials for the production of protective masks. First, mouth and nose protective masks (MNS) are manufactured for the general public and surgical protective masks of the EN14683 class (FFP2 masks).

With the joint venture, domestic supplies must be “sustainably secured now and in the future, and the location will be strengthened,” the two companies said. “The aim of this joint venture is to provide the best possible protection for citizens of Austria and Europe with high-quality, home-produced products,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO of Lenzing AG. Palmers board member Luca Wieser emphasized his company’s many years of experience in manufacturing and selling textile products.

The two companies can expect positive political comments for their new business: according to the announcement, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) sent his thanks by video message and Lower Austria Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and State Councilor Jochen Danninger (both ÖVP) are particularly pleased, “that we managed to bring the production of high-quality protective masks to Lower Austria on a large scale.” Danninger noted that “it would finally breathe new life into the well-known Palmers building in Wiener Neudorf.”