Combating coronavirus: UAE starts mass production of N95 masks in Al Ain

Abu Dhabi - The facility will have a capacity to make 30 million masks a year.

The UAE has started its own production of N95 respirators at a facility in Al Ain. The first-of-its-kind manufacturing line in the GCC region will have an annual output capacity of over 30 million masks. The step comes in line with the UAE's effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Mubadala Investment Company on Tuesday announced a strategic collaboration between its subsidiary Strata Manufacturing and Honeywell to produce N95 respirators at Strata's Al Ain facility.

The UAE imports all N95 respirators from abroad but with this manufacturing line will not only be able to meet the national requirements of the health sector but transform the UAE into an exporter of this PPE product.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Group Chief Executive Officer and MD, Mubadala, said the new manufacturing capability will help address the critical demand for N95 respirators and bolster the resilience of UAE's PPE supply chains.

"We will be able to deliver critical support to frontline healthcare workers and members of the wider community."

Darius Adamczyk, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell, said the firm will ensure affordable masks.

"Honeywell is committed to ensuring that PPE products are being placed quickly and cost-effectively in the hands of those most in need, including medical professionals and those on the front lines of the fight against the spread of Covid-19."