UAE’s first N95 respirator manufacturing facility can produce upto 90,000 units per day

The UAE’s first N95 respirator manufacturing facility, established in May in Al Ain with an annual capacity to produce over 30 million units, has secured orders until the end of 2020.

“To date, we have already supplied N95 masks to those on the UAE’s frontline, including healthcare workers and emergency response personnel, and have further orders until the end of the year from other UAE entities,” Ismail Ali Abdulla, CEO of Strata Manufacturing, wholly owned by the Mubadala Investment Company, told official news agency WAM.

“Our partnership with Honeywell has enabled Strata to establish the first production line for N95 masks in the Arabian Gulf region, minimising the need for masks to be imported from oversees producers.

“The facility is capable of producing 90,000 units per day and we are committed to fulfilling the country’s needs and have a goal of being able to produce quantities that will support international countries,” he added.

In June, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, visited the Strata Manufacturing facility which also produces components for aerospace manufacturers.

During a visit to Strata, I met young & talented individuals who are contributing to global excellence in the aerospace sector. This pioneering UAE initiative is at the heart of our ambition to invest in a diversified, knowledge-based economy led by a highly qualified workforce. pic.twitter.com/94Hr1RRuEO

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) June 26, 2020

Abdulla said that the company’s focus with regards to the masks was to first meet local demand and support the UAE’s healthcare sector requirements, before addressing international demand for this PPE.

The masks have already received all the necessary certification from local and international quality standards entities.

“To oversee the production line, and ensure we realise our commitments and adhere to international regulations, we have started with 10 technicians and currently have more than 30 technicians working on the project, supervised by an Emirati, Maryam Hareb Al Nayadi, who has been with Strata since 2011.”

Local production has meant that “we are able to have a considerable impact on reducing previous costs incurred through importing N95 masks such as shipping, other logistical costs, warehouse storage, transport and tariff charges, said Abdulla.

The initiative to start the respirator production was part of Mubadala’s ‘#WeAreDedicated’ campaign in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

In May, Mubadala Healthcare teamed up with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) to undertake 3D printing of masks, similar to the N95 mask, but reusable and with replaceable filters.

Read: UAE’s Mubadala Healthcare and NYUAD to jointly produce 3D-printed medical masks

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) also launched a new initiative earlier this month, a 3D Printing Strategic Alliance in Dubai, whose immediate objectives is to focus on establishing 3D printing production lines to meet the surge in demand for medical equipment, including protective kits, scanners, respirators, masks, and laboratory supplies.

Read: Sheikh Hamdan launches 3D Printing Strategic Alliance in Dubai