Minister of Industry Requests Cooperation to Ban Export of Mask Filters

Visit to mask raw material company 'Clean & Science' on the 6th
"Supporting conversion of other production lines to mask lines"

Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, urged mask manufacturers to actively cooperate with the 'Emergency Supply and Demand Adjustment Measures for Nonwoven Fabric for Mask Filters' effective from today.

On the 6th, Minister Sung visited Clean & Science, a producer of raw materials for health masks located in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, and made this announcement. This company is a leading domestic enterprise producing filters for home appliances, automobiles, and air conditioning, including the mask filter 'Meltblown.'

Minister Sung stated that he visited Clean & Science to inspect the full-scale production system ensuring uninterrupted supply of mask raw materials amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and to request cooperation in implementing the emergency measures.

The company plans to operate two new facilities starting next week, aiming to increase mask filter production by about three times the current output. This is expected to significantly contribute to stabilizing the supply of Meltblown.

Accordingly, Minister Sung said the government is urging companies to expand production of mask filters to ensure masks are smoothly supplied to the public. He emphasized that all efforts are being made to promptly resolve difficulties encountered during the production process.

Minister Sung said, "From today, to resolve supply instability and stabilize supply of nonwoven fabric for mask filters, measures such as mandatory reporting of production and sales volumes and export restrictions will be implemented, so we hope for active cooperation." He added, "The government plans to use contingency funds to improve outdated production facilities and support converting production lines used for filters of other purposes into mask filter production lines."

He added, "This is a critical time requiring nationwide efforts from the government, companies, and citizens to swiftly overcome COVID-19," and urged, "We hope Clean & Science, as a leading mask filter company, will play a pioneering role in overcoming the current situation."