VOW3 Volkswagen AG

By Colin Kellaher

Whirlpool Corp., Dow Inc. and Reynolds Consumer Products Inc. on Thursday said they are collaborating to provide respirators for front-line health-care workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

The companies said the joint project is a powered, air-purifying respirator that takes the place of a traditional medical mask and visor and features a clear polyethylene hood that can quickly be replaced between patients.

Whirlpool designed and manufactured the headset, while Dow provided the polyethylene resin for the hoods and Reynolds designed and produced the disposable hood, the companies said, adding that a unit of Volkswagen AG brokered connections with materials and supply-chain partners to source critical components.

Dow and Whirlpool said they are donating 1,000 respirators apiece to healthcare facilities in Louisiana, Michigan and Texas, while Reynolds said it is donating the first 1 million hoods.

The companies said they plan to sell the devices through WIN Health Labs LLC, a Whirlpool unit formed to provide measures aimed at combating the Covid-19 public health emergency.

Write to Colin Kellaher at colin.kellaher@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 14, 2020 07:37 ET (11:37 GMT)

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