NEXE Innovations Inc (CVE:NEXE) (FRA:NX5) said it has begun development and prototyping of a compostable disposable facemask in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The plant-based materials specialist said it will leverage existing collaborations in polymer science, plant-based materials, and municipal composting that is utilized to develop its NEXE pod, adding that it has also initiated new collaborations with leaders in healthcare and personal protective equipment (PPE).
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These include collaborations with Surrey Biofuels Facility, one of Canada's most advanced composting centers, and Zachary Hudson, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Chemistry at UBC, who also serves as NEXE’s chief scientific officer.
"Our goal is to develop a disposable facemask that is made from plant-based materials without compromising on safety or comfort. By engaging with leaders in materials science, compostability, PPE manufacturing, and healthcare, NEXE aims to apply our technologies to one of the world's fastest-growing sources of plastic waste. We are excited to share more about our technologies and partnerships in the short term," Hudson said in a statement.
NEXE said it has developed initial prototypes and will focus on creating a fully functional compostable disposable facemask that meets international healthcare standards in the coming months.
The company added that the space required for manufacturing can be easily accommodated in its newly expanded production facility, and several new hires in engineering roles are anticipated as part of the project.
NEXE said it is aiming to complete a functional prototype in 2021, and that it has sufficient funds to complete development of the facemask following its December financing. The firm added that the global market for disposal masks exceeded US$70 billion in 2020, more than double that for single-serve beverage pods.
"With this project, NEXE is finally able to showcase our innovation platform, leveraging our battle-tested experience in handling plant-based materials technologies to confront plastic waste in the healthcare industry. Masks save lives, but there has to be a more sustainable solution. We've built the skills and technologies needed to confront this problem, and are excited to open up a new dimension to our business," NEXE chief executive Darren Footz said in a statement.
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