Bamboo FFP2 Masks

We have found a solution to the search for environmentally friendly, natural and skin-friendly face masks with a high protective effect at our location – the northern German historic town of Wolfenbüttel in Lower Saxony, after six months of research and development. By combining their conventional Ex Vir FFP2 mask with a fleece made of bio-bamboo fiber, they have succeeded in developing a mask that is both more environmentally friendly and more comfortable to wear. The world’s first FFP2 mask made of bamboo fiber!

The innovative bamboo fiber mask was patented in June 2021 and received FFP2 mask CE certification in August.

Why bamboo?

Due to the natural properties of bamboo, the grass (yes, bamboo is a grass) does completely without pesticides, fertilizers or artificial irrigation and grows on almost any soil. For example, on soils that are unusable for other agriculture. Moreover, after harvesting, it simply grows back from the root system at a rate of up to 1.6 meters per day. Pure sustainability. From the pictures, you can get a glimpse of how the raw materials of bamboo masks are made.

Why bamboo FFP2 masks?

FFP2 masks made of bamboo fibers offer many advantages over traditional FFP2 masks, including:

The environmental aspect:
Compared to conventional FFP2 respirators, the plastic usage of this new generation of FFP2 masks has been drastically reduced by using innovative fleece made from biologically grown raw material. FFP2 masks – almost – cannot get any more environmentally friendly.

The feel-good aspect:
The soft bamboo fiber makes the FFP2 respirator feel very comfortable on the face. Due to the hypoallergenic and antimicrobial properties of bamboo fiber, you get the assurance that the masks are perfectly suitable for any skin type. After all, we would rather wear natural textiles directly on our face than the plastic from the conventional masks on the market.

The safety aspect:
Bamboo fiber is naturally antibacterial, which prevents the formation of bad odors. Combined with the meltblown fleece in the intermediate layer, the novel bamboo respirator will be able to protect wearers from most viruses and bacteria.

Figure: Raw materials from the bamboo FFP2 masks.

Our innovative bamboo fiber fleece offers:

  • pleasantly soft on the skin
  • hypoallergenic and antibacterial
  • antimicrobial as well as odor repellent
  • more comfort with the same protection
  • Vegan materials
  • less plastic

Sustainability

Sustainability is a very important topic for us. We will continue to innovate in the future. We are currently working together with a renowned scientific institute, and two other German medium-sized companies to participate in the “Innovative Protective Equipment” funding program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The goal is to work together to develop world-leading protective equipment, or to optimize a more environmentally friendly production process.

In addition to bamboo masks, we also strive to provide sustainable products for the home. We have developed cosmetic or all-purpose wipes made of 100% bamboo. If you are interested, please visit our bamboo cloth website: www.bambudea.de


Thanks to our environmentally friendly packaging alone, we have achieved
year 2021, the amount of CO2 avoided is equivalent to 1,900 m² of forest from the
Filter air.

What are FFP2 masks?

FFP2 stands for particle filtering half masks of protection class 2. It must comply with the CE standard EN149:2001 + A1:2009. FFP2 masks have been used since the beginning of the Corona pandemic in both the medical and private sectors as respiratory protection against aerosols consisting of solid or liquid, non-volatile particles. They serve as a complete breathing apparatus with non-replaceable filter material.

Are FFP2 masks harmful to health?

In principle, wearing FFP2 masks is not harmful to health. But at-risk groups in particular need to be aware of a few things. According to the Robert Koch Institute, persons belonging to a vulnerable group (e.g. immunocompromised persons) should generally wear FFP2 masks only after careful consideration of potential benefits and adverse effects.
The use of the masks should be “accompanied by a physician, if possible, in order to provide information on handling and risks, to ensure a correct seal fit, to individually determine the wearing time that is acceptable for the wearer, taking into account the manufacturer’s instructions, and to minimize health risks/consequences.”

What about the beard under the protective mask?

Due to the beard, the mask no longer sits close to the face. Gaps are created. Through these gaps, the air can escape more or less unfiltered.

FFP2, OP masks – What are the differences?

FFP2 masks provide external and self-protection

FFP2 masks provide external and self-protection. The number in the designation indicates how many aerosols the masks must be able to filter. “FFP2 masks must filter at least 94 percent and FFP3 masks at least 99 percent of test aerosols,” the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) said of mask testing.

Surgical masks do not filter aerosols

The medical masks or surgical masks were used by physicians even before the Corona pandemic outbreak. They protect people in the close vicinity of the mask wearer from fluid particles emitted when the mask wearer speaks or coughs. Thus, they primarily protect the counterpart from droplets of the mouthguard wearer. Aerosols do not filter them. Only with a tight fit, they can also protect the wearer from droplets of his counterpart.
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) points out that surgical masks are disposable products. They should be changed regularly, at the latest as soon as they are soaked.

Can FFP2 masks be used more than once?

In healthcare, FFP2 masks are disposable. They may only be used once, after which they must be disposed of.
Privately, you may use FFP2 masks multiple times. Experts argue about whether that’s a good thing. Researchers from the Münster School of Health say that if there are only a small number of FFP2 masks available, it may make sense to wear the masks more than once. According to scientific findings, FFP2 masks can be reused up to 5 times – if properly disinfected.