Arvind Limited & ACT Grants partner to support India’s drive towards self-sufficiency in N95 masks

New Delhi: In order to support India’s drive towards self-sufficiency in N95 masks in India, Arvind Limited, one of India’s largest textile-to-retail conglomerate and ACT Grants have partnered to produce 30 million N95 masks in the next 12 months. Arvind Limited has received a grant of INR 100 million from ACT Grants, the non-profit coalition of VC funds and start-up founders, and will employ its manufacturing expertise on Medical Products and Working Capital to create a large, integrated facility for N95 mask production and distribution. Through this partnership, Arvind and ACT Grants will jointly donate 9 million masks over the next year to charitable institutions, government bodies, and other organizations, focusing on medical and non-medical professionals with the highest risk of contracting the virus.

The partnership is a swift response to PM Narendra Modi’s call to make wearing masks compulsory for the general public.  Upon complete scale-up, the daily N95 mask production capacity will be approximately 2 lakh units which would be operated, owned and managed by Arvind. This capacity would bridge the gap in supply and edge India towards self-sufficiency in N95 masks. The N95 masks will be available through Arvind Advanced Material Distribution partners, direct sales channels to Government, hospitals, and other corporates. Arvind Advanced Materials is a large, pioneering manufacturer of PPE Coveralls and Face Masks which are certified by BIS and Global agencies.

Mr. Punit Lalbhai, Executive Director, Arvind Limited, said, “Arvind has been manufacturing PPEs for various industries for over a decade and we believe we can use this expertise to produce N95 masks when the country’s huge demand needs to be met with. N95 masks are made through completely automated machines where raw materials play a critical part in maintaining quality of the product. Arvind, due to its long experience in non-woven material is able to understand, test and source quality material. A detailed Quality Management System including product and process has been implemented, to ensure quality and consistent manufacturing. ACT upfront supported Arvind in setting up this project in record time and Arvind appreciates having a like-minded partner in this journey. ”

Mr. Apurv Bansal, Spokesperson from ACT Grants, said, “ACT and its partners have already provided over 3 lakh PPE and over 15 lakh masks to hospitals, police and frontline workers across 20 states of India. We evaluated several partners for manufacturing the masks, but, based on credibility, scale, and reasonable certainty of launching N95 within the time-frame that ACT wanted, Arvind was selected as the appropriate/ best partner. We are excited to partner with Arvind and together, we can act as a force multiplier in the fight against the COVID-19. This partnership with Arvind will allow us to make 10x the impact in protecting our frontlines and provide high quality, locally manufactured BIS certified N95 masks in India. ACT will work with partner NGOs & Foundations to make these N95 masks available free of cost.”

Mr. Amit Khatri, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Gurugram: We sincerely thank Arvind Ltd and ACT Grants for this kind gesture done by the company for front line workers, Asha workers, sanitation workers and those working towards the COVID Cure. The contribution is truly remarkable in both senses as it is the need of the hour during the pandemic apart from truly Made in India taking a step towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. This contribution will go a long way towards Public Private Partnership and also supporting to the needy at ground level.

Apart from masks, Arvind also manufactures Protective Coveralls and Bio-Suits for medical practitioners and frontline warriors. Arvind has supplied more than 1 lakh coveralls so far to the Central and State Governments.