Sustainable seaweed
How planet and people are benefiting
At a time of unprecedented human need, DuPont is marshalling all available resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. From supplying equipment to protect first responders to finding ways to deliver solutions helping those most desperately in need, our employees are answering the call.
The focus has been two-fold, with workers ramping up production to meet demand for essential products and technologies, but also leveraging our science and capabilities in novel ways to bring critical supplies where they’re most severely needed.
From personal protective equipment to essential technologies and key ingredients to help other companies keep their supply chains moving, here are just some examples of what we’re doing right now, across our businesses and around the world:
Increased Production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
When it rises to the level of critical response, DuPont Safety is in the business of protecting people - from floods to fires and today, the global coronavirus pandemic.
Today the business is working tirelessly to help those directly impacted by the virus, including first responders on the front lines. Thousands of employees are working around the clock in all parts of the world to increase capacity of protective garments during this time of unequaled demand.
Behind the doors of our Tyvek® plants, production is at full capacity, operating 24 hours a day across 19 global manufacturing facilities to produce over 9 million garments per month fo COVID-19 response.
“Tyvek® today is clearly on the front lines of combating the coronavirus outbreak. Our job is clear; to protect the heroes—from healthcare workers to first responders —working to provide compassionate care to patients and corral the spread of infection.”
John Richard, Vice President and General Manager for DuPont Safety
It’s these employees who produce more than 200 million Tyvek® suits in a typical year. But this year has proven anything but typical as the teams focus on building up production for worldwide demand, which has already spiked 20 percent over the same time last year.
N95 Masks Collaboration
Excessive demand also continues for highly coveted N95 masks with manufacturers in need of critical materials to create the protective wear.
In response to unrivaled demand, DuPont and Cummins Inc. partnered to use filter technology to supply the critical need for masks.
Typically, DuPont’s Hybrid Membrane Technology (HMT) is integrated with Cummins’ synthetic fibers to protect sensitive engine components, but today the filtration technology is being used in N95 masks.
Under an initiative by the University of Minnesota—to provide masks to state-based healthcare systems there—Cummins donated the first prototype masks to be assembled by the university. The University is working to address a sharp projected shortage of PPE equipment.
“We’re proud to make our advanced technology available to help protect more caregivers on the front lines of this global health crisis,” said HP Nanda, Global Vice President & General Manager, DuPont Water Solutions. “We thank our partner Cummins for transitioning the use of its production line to help address the global shortage of N95 mask materials, and we thank the experts at the University of Minnesota for their leadership in testing and designing several mask options for the benefit of many healthcare systems. By working together and innovating new applications of existing technologies and materials, we hope to slow the spread of this terrible virus.”
Printed circuit boards for increased ventilator production
Throughout our global Electronics & Imagine Interconnect Solutions business, employees are playing a vital role to support increased demand of Pyralux®, Riston®, and metallization materials used to create flexible parts in printed circuit board production for ventilators and other critical medical equipment.
The spike started in early February when the first request came in from China. Since then, similar needs are being seen and met across Europe and the U.S. for these materials that ensure ventilators and medical equipment work accurately.
“We will prioritize and deliver these types of orders ASAP,” said Todd Brassard, VP and Chief Operating Officer, DuPont Calumet Electronics. “Our committed employees, technologies and 50 years of experience, positions Calumet to deliver reliable parts that will work without fail in these ventilators.”
Silicones for Healthcare Applications
The T&I segment has been speeding supply to customers with unmatched demand for silicones and resins to manufacture numerous life-sustaining products including respiratory masks, face shields, hand sanitizers and silicone tubing to process medicines and vaccines.
“We’ll continue to partner with our suppliers, distributors, customers and other stakeholders, incorporating key learnings informed from DuPont colleagues in China who faced similar challenges but are now back in operation,” said XXXXXXX
When it rises to the level of critical response, DuPont Safety is in the business of protecting people - from floods to fires and today, the global coronavirus pandemic.
Today the business is working tirelessly to help those directly impacted by the virus, including first responders on the front lines. Thousands of employees are working around the clock in all parts of the world to increase capacity of protective garments during this time of unequaled demand.
Behind the doors of our Tyvek® plants, production is at full capacity, operating 24 hours a day across 19 global manufacturing facilities to produce over 9 million garments per month fo COVID-19 response.
Stronger than steel
That’s right. Pound for pound, Kevlar® has five times the strength of steel.
Extreme performance
DuPont™ Kevlar® is so versatile it’s used in a range of extreme sport apparel, accessories, and equipment, including for canoeing, mountain biking, and snowboarding.
Inside essentials
All sorts of manufacturers turn to us for materials or ingredients that can help improve the things they make. And if they’re making better products, there’s more for you to get out of them. In dairy products like yogurt and cheese, our probiotics can help restore the microbiota balance in your gut. When it comes to smartphones and tablets, our materials enable faster, thinner, more powerful devices that can do more than ever before.
Our electronic ink called Intexar™ transforms any wearable fabric into smart clothing. It’s what enables the Owlet Pregnancy Monitor to help expecting mothers have a better understanding of how their baby is doing. It was also used in the Ralph Lauren jackets that helped keep athletes warm during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
