As an original equipment manufacturer, Wisconsin-based Curt G. Joa, Inc. builds machinery for many of the same customers served by Henkel’s Adhesive Technologies business. The two companies have partnered on customer solutions many times over the years. But never has the need been so pressing as the request to help one customer manufacture face masks.
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Henkel Aids OEM Face Mask Production
At the height of the COVID-19 crisis, a major global retailer contacted Curt G. Joa, Inc. about adapting a diaper-making machine to produce face masks — an application that would require hot melt adhesives. With their long history of collaboration, JOA turned to Henkel.
The patent-pending face mask developed by Curt G. Joa, Inc. relies on Henkel adhesives to secure the nose wire in place.
“We’ve been working with JOA for decades, and we have a very positive relationship,” says Raza Hayder, Senior Key Account Manager, Packaging, Consumer Goods and Construction. “We were delighted that JOA called us when they faced a critical need for adhesives.”
With its extensive experience supporting the medical sector, Henkel expeditiously identified two products that would provide the perfect solution - Henkel’s TECHNOMELT® laminating adhesive would be used to bond layers of fabric used in the face masks, and a TECHNOMELT® elastic adhesive would attach the nose clip.
Full-scale production of face masks began in mid-May, overall increasing the nation’s production capacity of critical supplies needed to defeat the pandemic.
“At a time when our nation was in a very vulnerable place, there was a high level of urgency behind this request,” says Hayder. “I’m proud that Henkel and JOA were able to work together, collaborating and delivering a critical customized solution during this unprecedented health crisis.”
